Investigator: No Working Smoke Alarms During Fatal Forsyth Fire

CUMMING, GA — The Safety Fire Commissioner’s Office is warning residents to make sure all smoke alarms inside homes are in working condition after two children died in Forsyth County.

The Forsyth County Fire Department responded to a residential fire at 2015 Apple Valley Court in Cumming shortly after 2:40 A.M. on Oct. 5. When emergency personnel made their way inside the home, they found two minors, aged 9 and 12, deceased upstairs in one of the bedrooms, the commissioner's office said.

“The cause and origin of this unfortunate event are still under investigation. No foul play is suspected,” said Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King. “I cannot stress enough how important it is to practice an escape plan with your family in case of emergency and to have working smoke alarms in your home. Unfortunately, this particular home did not have working smoke alarms at the time of the fire.”

Officials have said the children's mom was at home, but wasn't able to get to them, WSB-TV reported.

In 2019, Georgia fires have claimed the lives of 70 individuals. 58 of these fatalities occurred across 48 residential fires, only five of which had working smoke alarms.