A family dog died and five people lost their home after an electrical fire tore through a Valdosta residence Thursday morning.
The Details: Valdosta firefighters rushed to 2107 Northwood Circle around 8:09 a.m. on March 13, arriving in less than four minutes to find heavy smoke and flames engulfing the single-family home. Firefighters battled the blaze and searched the property, confirming no people were trapped inside.
While crews managed to rescue a cat from the burning home, they couldn’t save the family’s dog.
In Context: House fires caused by electrical problems are among the most common residential blazes in Georgia. According to the National Fire Protection Association, electrical failures or malfunctions cause roughly 46,700 home fires annually across the United States, resulting in approximately 390 deaths each year.
How You Can Help: The American Red Cross is currently assisting the five displaced residents. Community members wishing to support the family can contact the South Georgia chapter of the American Red Cross to donate clothing, household items, or emergency funds.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
