Family remembers 3 killed in Atlanta house fire

ATLANTA — Police say locks meant to help prevent a break-in might have kept three family members from escaping a house fire early Tuesday.

Family members confirmed to Channel 2 Action News that 54-year-old Jaqueline Diane Brooks and her parents 80-year-old James and 76-year-old Nina Evans all died in the fire.

The Atlanta Fire Department was called to 3522 Revere Road just after 2 a.m.

“A few members from my family are pretty devastated,” Austin Moore said. “My cousin who lost her mother and my mom who lost her sister and her mother. It's crazy.”

Firefighters tried to search the home for the occupants, but they were unable to locate them.

“I didn’t believe it, I thought it was a cruel joke or maybe a misunderstanding, miscommunication. Maybe the house is on fire but maybe they're OK,” Austin said.

Firefighters and neighbors believe lightning struck a few trees near the house and started the fire.

Family members told Channel 2 Action News they wanted to cut down some of the trees for a long time.

WSBTV