5 killed in house fire in Whitfield County, officials say

WHITFIELD COUNTY, Ga. - A devastating house fire early Wednesday morning claimed the lives of five people in Whitfield County. The blaze occurred at a residence on Tree Top Lane in the City of Cohutta and is currently under investigation.

Emergency services received the call at 3:30 a.m. A total of nine fire trucks and two battalion chiefs from the Whitfield County Fire Department responded to the scene.

Authorities are working to determine the cause of the fire and the circumstances leading up to the tragic incident.

"On behalf of the Whitfield County Fire Department, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family who has experienced this unimaginable loss," said Fire Chief Paul Patterson. "We are fully committed to supporting the investigation into the cause of this fire."

The identities of the victims have not been released, as officials are notifying next of kin.

The investigation is a joint effort between the Whitfield County Fire Department, the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office, and the State Fire Marshal.