Family Of 4 Dead In East Atlanta House Fire

EAST ATLANTA, GA — A family of four is dead after a blaze erupted at their Winthrop Road home shortly before midnight Wednesday, fire officials said.

The fatal fire ignited in the 1800 block of Winthrop, according to DeKalb County Fire Rescue. When crews arrived, they found a "well-involved house fire," officials said.

One of the residents who was standing outside the home told firefighters there were more occupants inside, leading to a search for victims, fire officials said.

A resident found during the search suffered serious injuries and was taken to a local hospital, where they later died, fire officials said.

First responders found three more people inside the home and pronounced them dead at the scene, fire officials said.

Interim Fire Chief Melvin Carter told WXIA-TV the four victims were a woman and three men who were relatives.

A family member told WAGA-TV that two of the people who died were his parents.

In the WXIA-TV report, the medical examiner identified the deceased as 43-year-old Joseph Thomas, 73-year-old Maryann Chambers, 70-year-old John Chambers and 70-year-old Willie Smith.

Fire officials said they are still working to determine the cause of the fire.

The American Red Cross was requested to assist any displaced residents.