TOCCOA — An 80-year-old Toccoa resident died when his RV caught fire Tuesday morning.
Shortly after 2:30 a.m. Sept. 17, the Big Smith Volunteer Fire Department responded to a residential fire located at on Oak Valley Road in Toccoa. When emergency personnel made their way inside the camper, they found the body of a man they believe to be Richard Broker.
Georgia Fire Commissioner John F. King said fire officials believe smoking may have been to blame for hte fire.
“Right now, careless smoking cannot be eliminated as the cause,” said King. “The suspected victim was on oxygen and was known to be a heavy smoker. No foul play is suspected.”
The body of the deceased was sent to the GBI Crime Lab for autopsy and positive identification. Due to the condition of the body, further tests are to be conducted before an exact identification is made.
Investigators with the Safety Fire Commissioner’s Office are assisting the Big Smith Volunteer Fire Department, Stephens County Coroner’s Office, and Stephens County Sheriff’s Office with this investigation.
In 2019, Georgia fires have claimed the lives of 60 individuals.
Thom Chandler
Thom Chandler is the editor of The Georgia Sun and has been writing, editing and managing websites and blogs since 1995. He is a lifelong Georgian and one of those increasingly rare Atlanta natives.
