ATHENS — An early morning fire claimed the life of an Athens resident Saturday on South Lumpkin Street.

Fire crews were dispatched to the home at 4:47 a.m. While crews were en route, 911 dispatchers reported that the caller was on the line and said heavy flames were visible on the front of the structure and confirmed that there were possible victims trapped inside. 

The first units arrived at the scene at 4:51 a.m. and made an aggressive interior attack on the fire while simultaneously searching the structure for trapped victims.

The Incident Commander was able to meet with two residents that had escaped the blaze that confirmed a likely location of the person that was still inside. That information was relayed to the interior crews that located one victim in a rear bedroom.

Firefighters moved them to the exterior of the structure where they were given immediate advanced medical care. National EMS transported the patient to the hospital where they died from their injuries. 

The fire was extinguished and all areas of fire extension were addressed. No other victims were located.  

“We send our deepest condolences to the family at this incredibly difficult time,” Fire Chief Jeff Scarbrough said.

A cause and origin investigation is currently underway.