Fire Alarm Protection can Help Avert Catastrophe

On Monday, a 52-year-old mother of three was killed in a house fire that took place in Lithonia, Georgia, on Timor Trail. The incident occurred in the afternoon, when firefighters were dispatched to the home after a report of smoke coming from the windows.

Local affiliate MyFoxAtlanta reports that the victim, Natalie Porter, had recently returned from the hospital and was confined to her bed when the fire broke out. Neighbors who noticed the smoke made many attempts to remove her from the premises, but she was too weak to stand and succumbed to smoke inhalation.

Some nearby residents tried to put out the flames using a garden hose, but were disrupted when apparently the victim’s oxygen tank exploded.

“My first intention was, ‘Let’s get her out of the house. How can we get her out of the house,'” Norman Augustan, a neighbor, told the source. “We had to grab the water house and ran around back. Once we got around back, the AC unit blew out the window from her oxygen tank.”

According to local affiliate CBS Atlanta, fire investigators believe the incident was caused by an electrical issue. No foul play is suspected.

This is an important reminder that if you have elderly or infirm relatives who may be partially immobilized, you should always have an emergency plan and fire alarm protection for how to remove them from the premises in the event of a fire or some other catastrophe. If you’re concerned that your home is not properly protected from fire hazards, we urge you to contact an Atlanta alarm company to find out more about fire alarm monitoring services. Call American Alarm at (770) 645-0061 for more information.