POLK COUNTY, Ga. — An elderly woman was killed on Saturday in a home explosion in Polk County.
The fire department said the victim was 83 years old and was found under the rubble. Their name is not being released at this time at the request of the family.
Fire investigators said the blast happened Saturday at 9:30 a.m on Winkle Road, south of Cedartown. Neighbors several miles away reported hearing the explosion.
The Polk County Fire Department said the 1290-square-foot home was destroyed.
“An elderly woman died in this tragic incident,” said Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King in a news release. “At this point, the cause of the blast is thought to be related to a propane incident in the home.”
11Alive's Karys Belger went to the scene Sunday morning, where the damage was stark. Aside from debris, it would have been hard to tell a house was ever there in the first place.
A neighbor said her husband had jumped the fence to try to get toward the home and help the person who lived in it. The volatility of the situation prevented him from being able to get to the person, however.
Other neighbors said they knew the person inside, and were praying for their family and doing what they can to help.
Polk County Police said on Facebook to "please remember the family of the deceased in your prayers." Investigators are still looking into the details of the blast.
The agency said this marks the 114th death from a Georgia fire this year.
