MARIETTA, Ga. — A community is coming together after a deadly house fire at a townhome complex in Marietta.
The fire broke out just before 4 a.m. Sunday. As of 8 a.m., Cobb County firefighters were still at the scene monitoring hot spots.
Crews say quick action by neighbors and firefighters kept the fire contained and kept anyone else from getting hurt.
Many neighbors say they awoke Sunday morning to banging on their doors and lights from fire trucks at the Garden Villas.
“I look out the window and see all the smoke and I’m like, ‘Oh my God," said neighbor Elaine Bauman.
The first person to see the fire, Scott Jegen, knew an older man lived inside one of the townhomes. Jegen says he realized he couldn’t get in to that home, but was able to help a woman escape before the flames spread to her townhome next door.
"I got her out. The other neighbors were already out and the flames were just so intense on that unit, I couldn't go anywhere near it,” said Jegen.
Jegen says the first police officer at the scene also tried going in the front door, then the back, but the fire was too intense.
Cobb County firefighters got it knocked down quickly and kept it from spreading.
"It looks like it may have been in the kitchen; however, there's heavy damage on the first floor and second floor,” said Lt. Dan Dupree with the Cobb County Fire Department.
Neighbors say the victim was in his late 60s and lived alone.
"Very pleasant man,” said Bauman. “I see him walking with his duffel bag, he always stops and says hello, waves to you when he is driving in, driving out."
The medical examiner is working to positively identify the victim. Fire investigators are working to find out how the fire started.
Witnesses also said they think it started in the kitchen.
"The first time I looked out, that's where I saw flames and called 911,” said Jegen.
Neighboring townhomes suffered smoke and water damage. The residents were able to go in and gather some belongings, but don’t know when they’re going to be able to return.
WSBTV
