SOUTH FULTON, Ga. — A South Fulton community is mourning the loss of a young mother and her infant daughter after the two tragically died in a house fire early Wednesday morning.
City of South Fulton Fire Rescue firefighters responded to the home in the 6300 block of Cornell Road just after midnight. When they showed up, they learned that several people were trapped inside and that the house was fully engulfed in flames.
Despite community members and firefighters' efforts, the city said the mother and child died on the second floor of the home.
11Alive spoke with the godfather of the months-old baby, who was in shock and disbelief at the tragedy that had taken place just hours beforehand. He described his goddaughter as "the happiest baby" and said he was with her and her mother on Tuesday night just before the fire broke out.
He said the power had gone out from the severe storms, and they had lit candles inside. He believes that's what may have started the fire. He said his goddaughter's mother was a "very loving mother" and that she had two other little kids who were not at the house at the time of the fire.
Just down the road, a neighbor and her daughter were left speechless as they recalled walking outside and seeing the house enveloped by the blaze.
"It was a horrific, horrific fire that changed our whole community. Two people died," said neighbor Karen Norris, adding, "This is a really tight-knit community."
Karen said they were awoken by a barking dog and came outside to a heap of yelling, screaming and glass on the ground. She said the minute she walked out the door, she saw the house up in massive flames.
"So quickly, that fire went from one side of the house to the whole entire house," she said. "And it was a flame and a blaze that I've never witnessed before in my life."
Despite the tragedy, Norris said the community is really coming together to try and help each other during an unbelievably difficult time. But for now, the sting and pain is still very fresh.
"It was very traumatizing. That's what we were very concerned [about]," Mary Norris said. "We were praying. We were hoping she was not in the house until they found her."
"It impacted us in a way I can't describe to you," Karen explained.
The City of South Fulton expressed its condolences:
"Our hearts are heavy as we extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones affected by this heartbreaking event."
“Our community mourns the heartbreaking loss of a young mother and her child due to a tragic house fire. My deepest sympathies and prayers go out to the families and loved ones affected by this devastating event,” City of South Fulton District 5 Councilwoman Keosha B. Bell said. “I urge all families to remain vigilant about fire safety in their homes – ensuring you have working smoke detectors and an emergency escape plan. Together, we can take steps to protect our loved ones and prevent such tragedies in the future."
This is a developing story. Check back often for new information.
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