DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A woman was trapped and died as a result of a townhome fire in DeKalb County.
DeKalb County Fire Department public information officer Jaeson Daniels said it happened around 10:30 a.m. Monday. The top floor of a townhome on ChuppRoad in Stonecrest was in flames.
"The resident stated that he was able to self-rescue but was unable to get his sister out of the location," Daniels said.
Neighbors identified the woman as 62-year-old Gajan Sanders. They said she lived at the townhome with her brother.
Valerie Davis lives a few doors down. She said she caught up with Sanders' brother before he was rushed to the hospital.
"He said, 'I couldn't get her out. I couldn't save her.' He said, 'I tried,' because his nose was burnt. And he has soot got all over him," Davis said. “She came over yesterday. I had cooked a big Sunday dinner.”
Davis’ daughter, Lesha Osias, couldn’t believe it when she saw the flames.
“I (saw) everything, and I just broke down,” Osias said. "I won’t have my friend anymore."
Davis said the saddest part is that Sanders and her brother had plans to move out in a few days.
“On July 5 —that was their move-in day," Davis added, “She was so happy for a new beginning.”
Osias said Sanders used to call herself the "Queen of Lithonia." Davis said the neighborhood will have to reluctantly move forward without her.
“She had a good heart, very loveable person," Davis said.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.