Boys, 17 and 13, killed in Paulding County house fire

PAULDING COUNTY, Ga. - Two teenage boys, a 17-year-old and 13-year-old, died Friday afternoon from injuries during a house fire in Paulding County, fire officials said.

Officials said both boys were alone at home on Baskin Road when the fire broke out at around 3:18 p.m. on Friday. Fire officials say neighbors called 911 after hearing popping sounds and spotting flames shooting from the home.

Curtis Lewis, a neighbor, was working across the street in his backyard when he heard a loud boom. Fire raced through his neighbor’s home. Lewis realized right away he had to act. 

"I heard an explosion and saw the smoke. I just knew it was time to go there and do something but there was nothing I could do," Lewis said. 

Paulding County firefighters investigate after a blaze tore through a home killing a teen and injuring another on Sept. 23, 2022. (Paulding County Fire/Rescue)

Lewis said he tried to open a door. But it wouldn’t budge. 

"It was closed up and I couldn’t get that door open," he said. 

Firefighters say the home was about 50% consumed by flames when they arrived about 8 minutes later. Emergency crews, noticing a car in the driveway, began to search the home. 

"Our units went in rescue mode. And they went through the window and they located two victims upstairs," said Paulding County Fire Chief Joey Pelfrey. 

The two boys were pulled from the top floor and were brought to the front yard, where medics began to assess them.

The 17-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 13-year-old was rushed to Tanner Villa Rica Hospital, where he died.

"He was pronounced dead at tanner Villa Rica," the fire chief said.

Pelfrey says the deaths of two boys so young hurt. 

"It rips you apart. It rips this whole community apart when something like this happens," Pelfrey said.

The tragedy hits Lewis especially hard. He says he lost his grandson in a fire. 

"I just don’t know what to think. "Seventeen and 13 years old. That’s too young to die. I know that," he said.

The names of the boys have not been released.

The fire is out and investigators are working to learn the cause of the fire. 

The Georgia Fire Marshal's Office has been asked to help with the investigation into the cause, manner, and origin of the fire.

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