Authorities in Chattooga County, Ga., are investigating a fire that claimed the lives of six people including adults and children overnight at a home north of Trion.
An official at the Chattooga County Sheriff's Office said Sheriff Mark Schrader had been out with emergency officials all night.
Schrader earlier this morning told local radio station AM 1180 that the fire broke out around 11 p.m. Sunday in the Airport Subdivision off of Old Highway 27.
"It is with a heavy heart tonight that I report that a residential fire has claimed the lives of six people, two adults and four children," Schrader told the station. "Please keep the families of those affected in your prayers."
Officials identified the victims of the fire as father, Bradley Jones, 29; mother, Demi J. Jones, 22; children, 5-year-old Clair M. Jones, 3-year-old Lola R. Jones and 3-month-old Olivia J. Jones; and Jada M. Kendrick, 5, cousin to the other children.
Neighbors say that after firefighters beat back the flames, they could hear people screaming as they were trying to get into the home where the family perished.
Ali Ali, a friend of the family, said he was in touch with family members throughout the night.
Stay with the Times Free Press for more on this developing story.