Rockdale County Fire and Rescue Chief Dan Morgan sat down with FOX 5's Russ Spencer to talk about Tuesday's deadly blaze and about ways to protect your families from deadly fire.
Four children were killed and their mother was severely burned when a fire broke out in a bathroom on the second floor of a duplex in Conyers just after 11 p.m. A 6-year-old boy suffered a broken collarbone.
Morgan said that families should be aware of how fast a blaze can spread.
"It's amazing how quickly fire will double and double and double again and it doesn't take long to use up the oxygen in a room as make visibility almost zero within a couple of minutes," said Morgan.
Morgan said there are steps you can take in case of an emergency.
"Make sure that everyone in your home knows how to get out and at least have two ways to get out…It's an exit drill in the home and just like any other skill, whether it's football or soccer, you need to practice it with your family. It's not something you want to learn at 2 o'clock in the morning when you're half-asleep. The other thing, make sure your smoke detectors are in the right place and they are active and working. Whether you test them twice a year, you have a 10-year battery, smoke detectors alert you, they work 24 hours a day and they're the only thing working while you're asleep to protect you from fire and smoke," he said.
Morgan says investigators around sure if the Conyers' home had working smoke detectors. CLICK THE VIDEO TO WATCH THE INTERVIEW!
Thursday, May 23 2013 2:17 PM EDT2013-05-23 18:17:55 GMT
The state rested its case on Thursday in the trial of Michael Parson. He's accused of shooting his wife eight times in April 2011 outside their Sandy Springs apartment.
The state rested its case on Thursday in the trial of Michael Parson. He's accused of shooting his wife eight times in April 2011 outside their Sandy Springs apartment.
Thursday, May 23 2013 1:55 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:55:29 GMT
Police in Palmetto say they're investigating the abduction of a 13-year-old boy.
Police in Palmetto say they're investigating the abduction of a 13-year-old boy. They say he was approached by a man as he got off his school bus on Wednesday, and that man pulled him into a pickup truck. He was able to escape, but the suspect is still on the loose.
Thursday, May 23 2013 1:33 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:33:35 GMT
The wives of first responders in Atlanta took to the picket line on Thursday morning to demand a salary hike for city workers.
The wives and family members of first responders in Atlanta took to the picket line on Thursday morning to demand a salary hike for city workers. They say their loved ones are forced to work extra jobs just to make ends meet, leaving little time for family.
Thursday, May 23 2013 1:06 PM EDT2013-05-23 17:06:09 GMT
The fox responsible for biting two Newton County elementary school students while they played on their school's playground remains on the loose.
The fox that bit two Newton County elementary school students while they played on the playground is still on the loose. Animal control authorities tell FOX 5 someone from Rocky Plains Elementary School reported a fox sighting on campus one day before the boys were attacked.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:32 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:32:32 GMT
As we celebrate Memorial Day weekend, we'll pause to remember the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
As we celebrate Memorial Day weekend, we'll pause to remember the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. It's also a great time to thank veterans for their service to our country—veterans just like World War II American hero Lew Fern.
