A Friday morning house fire at 1459 Old Dalton Road turned tragic when emergency responders discovered a woman and her dog had died, likely from smoke inhalation.
Upon arrival, firefighters found 65-year-old Belinda Fender unresponsive near the rear door of her home. Despite immediate efforts, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Floyd County Coroner’s officials confirmed that Fender had likely succumbed to smoke inhalation. Her dog was also found dead inside the home, lying on a bed.
According to RFFD Division Chief Jamie Stone, the fire appeared to have occurred overnight and had extinguished itself by the time crews arrived.
“It looks like the fire had already gone out when we got there,” Stone said. “Ms. Fender, who had known mobility and respiratory issues, was found near an exit, suggesting she may have been trying to escape.”
Family members told authorities that Fender had been living with limited resources and refused to relocate or renovate her aging trailer due to financial constraints.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Fender’s body will be sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation for an autopsy to determine the official cause of death.
No foul play is suspected at this time.
