6 people, including 3 children, killed in house fire in Georgia

NEWNAN, Georgia (AP) — Six people, including three children, died early Monday in a fire that destroyed a home southwest of Atlanta, the local coroner said.

The children were ages 6, 12 and 13, the Coweta County coroner’s office told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The oldest victim was in her 70s, authorities said. Their identities were not immediately released.

There were 11 people in the home, and the five survivors were taken to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Coweta County Fire Rescue said in a statement. Some of the survivors suffered “serious injuries,” the agency said.

At 4:57 a.m., firefighters were dispatched to the home north of Newnan, Georgia.

“The first unit arrived within nine minutes and found over 50 percent of the house engulfed in flames, with fire coming from the roof,” Coweta County Fire Department officials said.

A Coweta County firefighter suffered minor injuries, fire officials said.

“Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends who have suffered this tragic loss,” said a statement from the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office. “We ask that everyone keep the victims and their loved ones in their thoughts and prayers.”

Newnan is located about 40 miles (64 kilometers) southwest of Atlanta.

The Coweta County Fire Department is working with county and state fire officials and the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office to determine the cause, authorities said.