Father, son die after getting trapped in burning home on Christmas, GA officials say
A father and his son were killed after a fire ripped through their Atlanta-area home on Christmas morning, fire officials and news outlets report.
Crews were called around 3:15 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 25, about a house fire along Thompson Circle in Decatur, WXIA reported, citing DeKalb County Fire Rescue. A resident told authorities there were two people trapped inside.
Firefighters entered the home and found a man’s body, according to WSB-TV. The man’s son, who authorities said had disabilities, was found and taken to a hospital where he died.
No one else was hurt.
A family friend identified the victims as Randy Tyler and his son Jason Tyler, per a GoFundMe page launched on the family’s behalf. The family had relatives over and was asleep when the fire broke out.
“Further, the fire has left the family with few, if any, possessions that might be recovered, a complete loss,” the friend wrote. “We can be grateful that (Randy Tyler’s daughter) Sonia, her 8-year-old daughter and visiting cousins escaped physical harm.”
A 10-year-old was taken to a hospital for smoke inhalation, the friend said.
McClatchy News reached out to the DeKalb County Fire Rescue Department on Dec. 27 and was awaiting a response.
A neighbor who witnessed the fire recalled hearing the fire trucks and ambulance as they arrived at the family’s home, WAGA reported.
“He was quiet and always nice,” he told the station of the Randy Tyler, adding that he often heard him playing a ukulele from his home across the street.
Authorities are working to determine the cause of the fire.
Decatur is less than 10 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta.
This story was originally published December 27, 2022 at 10:15 AM with the headline "Father, son die after getting trapped in burning home on Christmas, GA officials say."