A house fire on Seven Bridges Road killed two residents who were likely sleeping in the two-story home when it caught on fire.
Investigator Terry Phillips with the Decatur County Sheriff’s Department said when 911 was alerted at 8 a.m. to what was called in as a brush fire on Seven Bridges Road by a neighbor, but was in reality a tragic house fire. Phillips said when firefighters and other officials arrived on the scene, the house was already gone and they began a search for anyone who had been inside.
George Glover III, 64, and Cheryl Glover, 53, were discovered in the home during the investigation of the fire. Glover had lived in the home since 2000 according to a relative.
“We got a call Monday from the fire chief informing us there was a fatality at a house fire and after an investigation we were able to identify the victims,” Phillips said.
The state fire marshal’s office was on scene to conduct their investigation as well.
Phillips said the autopsies were completed and no foul play is suspected. Reports indicate the two had traces of smoke in their lungs and likely died from smoke inhalation.
The cause of the fire is unknown and still under investigation, but the home had a wood burning stove that was used for heating the home and Phillips suspects that could have started the fire.
“The origin of the fire we haven’t been able to determine,” Phillips said. “But they did have a wood burning fire place and they did have a wood stove. Those were likely burning during the night. But the house being older, it could have been wiring, it could have been any number of things.”
He said an older wood home of that type burns extremely quickly.