Space Heater Cause of Toccoa Fatal House Fire, Authorities Say

In Stephens County, a mother and daughter are dead – victims of a tragic house fire.

It happened Friday night about 6:45p at a mobile home on Linda Drive just off Rose Lane in Toccoa.

Firefighters with the Toccoa and Carnes Creek fire stations responded within minutes, but Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley said by the time they arrived, the doublewide mobile home was entirely engulfed in flames.

Authorities say 68-year-old Gwendolyn Bohannon and her 39-year-old daughter, Amy Bohannon were overcome by the smoke and died in the fire.

Insurance Commissioner Office Spokesperson Glenn Allen says the investigation found that Gwendolyn died while attempting to rescue Bohanan who was immobile following a recent back surgery.

Attempts were made to rescue Bohannon and her daughter but the heat and intense flames beat the firefighters back.

Firefighters found their bodies beside each other in a bedroom.

Bohannon’s son was able to escape without injury.

He told authorities when he opened his bedroom door he was overcome by the smoke.

Two little girls who were playing outside at the time of the fire are also safe.

Georgia Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens says investigators determined the fire was the result of an electric space heater being placed too close to a sofa.