Federal investigators open probe into deadly Atlanta house fire, gas leak

ATLANTA - Not much is left of a northwest Atlanta home after a fire gutted it Saturday morning. Two people were inside, and both were killed.

GAS LEAK DISCOVERED AFTER FATAL NORTHWEST ATLANTA HOUSE FIRE

Odeisha Coats lives next door and said investigators told her the damage was caused by more than just flames.

"The gas leak allegedly caused the explosion that happened to my neighbor's house," she said. "As a matter of fact, they said it could have been anybody's house. That's why they asked everyone on the street to evacuate."

After the fire department put out the fire on Saturday Atlanta Gas Light said they then discovered a gas leak in the front yard.

"They even went to the extent to test the gas levels inside of our house because they said the gas levels out here were at explosive levels," Coats said.

Sunday night, federal and state investigators arrived on the scene. The National Transportation Safety Board which investigates gas pipeline mishaps said the fire involved natural gas. 

"NTSB is investigating a Dec. 3 residential fire in Atlanta, Georgia where natural gas was involved," the company said plainly in a tweet about the incident.

Knowing this information left Coats feeling uneasy.

"We have not turned on our gas since yesterday morning after the fire because I am afraid, I'm actually traumatized that my house might be next to explode," she said.

Atlanta Gas Light Company issued the following statement for the fatal house fire on Bolton Road Saturday night. (FOX 5 Atlanta)

Atlanta Gas Light released this statement Sunday: "Our hearts and prayers go out to the family of those killed in this tragic accident. Atlanta Gas Light expects to be working with the National Transportation Safety Board on the investigation of this matter and for that reason, we cannot comment further."

So far, the two victims have not been identified, but Coats said the people who lived in the home were good people.

"She's actually the only neighbor that we know in this neighborhood, and she was very nice. So, it's very unfortunate, very sad," she said.

The Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office said it could take some time to identify the victims.

As for the investigation, federal investigators were on the scene for several hours Sunday night. 

The NTSB sent FOX 5 this statement: "NTSB is investigating a Dec. 3 residential fire in Atlanta, Georgia where natural gas was involved. A team of 3 investigators arrived on scene today. The on-scene portion of the investigation is expected to last about a week. A preliminary report with all the factual information collected during the on-scene phase of the investigation is expected to publish within 30 days."

This investigation is ongoing.