2 people dead, 1 injured in Atlanta house fire on Willis Mill Road

ATLANTA - Atlanta firefighters have learned there were fatalities in a house fire that broke out at 1800 Willis Mill Road NE overnight.

Atlanta Fire and Rescue Department was called to the scene at 12:12 a.m. on Saturday when two residents informed the team that people were trapped inside.

The crew rescued a woman and an elderly man who were both rendered aid until they could be taken to Grady Memorial Hospital. The woman died at the hospital. The man's current condition is unknown.

A third person, another woman, was later found dead in a bedroom during a secondary search of the home. 

Neighbors nearby told FOX 5 they heard what sounded like an explosion, then saw the home in flames.

"The ground shaking is what was scary, and the house shook," said Eric Flemister, who lives across the street. "Dogs started barking, and then a big explosion. I came outside, I saw the glowing fire and ran over. I heard her. I heard two people screaming, and screaming, and screaming. I came to see if I could help them and I was in shock."

Another person who lives nearby but wanted to remain anonymous told FOX 5 she has lived in the neighborhood for about 50 years and knew the family well.

"They were just good neighbors," she said. "The streets were so full of trucks. There were about 15 or 20 firetrucks. The wires down on the ground were sparking all over the place, and they had to cut all of the wires, so we had no power."

Atlanta Fire and Rescue said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.