House fire in Catoosa CountyA Ringgold, Ga., mother and her young son lost their lives in a fire early this morning, according to state fire officials.
The fire that broke out at 12:38 a.m. began in the garage of the home at 35 Country Haven Lane in Catoosa County, said Glenn Allen, spokesman for Georgia Insurance and Safety Commissioner Ralph Hudgens.
The victims, identified as Andrea Clair Coots, 31, and her 5-year-old son, Riley Stone Coots, died in the blaze, Allen said. Both victims were found in the same room and "appeared to investigators to have been attempting to escape the fire," he said.
The victims' bodies have been sent to the state crime lab for examination, he said.
While there is no suspicion of foul play, Allen said, officials have not identified the fire's cause.
He said there was a working fire alarm system in the home and the alarm company notified 911 of the fire.
For complete details, see tomorrow's Chattanooga Times Free Press.