Woman Dies After Fire Destroys Home

A preschool teacher has died after a fire at her home in Tucker.

Ruby Eskew, 64, was pronounced dead on Wednesday night at Grady Hospital's burn unit after fire broke out at the Sheffield Place residence she shared with her daughter and son-in-law, both of whom escaped unharmed.

A teacher at Eastminster Preschool on Hugh Howell Road, Eskew sustained severe burns and went into cardiac arrest in a fire that had engulfed the house when firefighters arrived on the scene. The cause has yet to be determined.

Eastminster's director Sarah Baldwin said in a statement: "Ms. Ruby taught at our Preschool last year and continued working in our After School Program at Eastminster after arthritis kept her from working with the younger children. Ruby's faith, experience and love for the children and people she worked with makes this news very difficult and sad."