Bartow County reports 5th fatal fire of 2020

December 22, 2020–9:45 p.m.

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The Bartow County Fire and Emergency Services and Cartersville Fire Department responded to a fatal fire on Saturday evening.

According to information sent by Bartow County Fire and Emergency Services, the department responded to 41 Highland Way in reference to a structure fire with possible entrapment. The Cartersville Fire Department responded with automatic aid to assist. Units arrived on the scene to find a single-story residence with heavy smoke and flames showing. Crews initiated an aggressive interior attack with a coordinated search for the victim. Search efforts were hindered, due to explosions on the scene and a partially collapsed ceiling. A female victim, later identified as 66–year-old Susan Wanstall of Cartersville, was found dead in a bedroom. The case of the fire remains under investigation by the Bartow County Fire and Emergency Services Fire Marshal’s Office.

This brings the number of fire fatalities to five for Bartow County in 2020. Bartow County Fire Chief Dwayne Jamison urges everyone to check their smoke alarms to ensure that they are working and if you do not have one you may request up to two for each household at the county headquarters located at 5435 Highway 20.

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