Polk County, GA – Residents around the site of a home that exploded then caught fire near the county line on Winkle Road are still recovering with the help of the American Red Cross, and officials have listed the cause thus far as inconclusive but believe that propane might have been the culprit.
Officials are not yet releasing the name of the Winkle Road individual who died as a result of the explosion as the request of the family. Thus far, investigators are unsure of what might have caused it but know for sure it didn’t involve foul play.
Reports came into Polk.Today from social media and directly from across the county of hearing and feeling Saturday’s blast, including participants in the Jingle Jog and Reindeer Run in Peek’s Park in downtown Cedartown.
Here’s the full release from the Polk County EMA and Volunteer Fire Department officials:
On Saturday, December 11, 2021, at 9:50 a.m., the Polk County Fire Department with assistance from Cedartown Fire Department, and several other agencies in Polk County responded to the address of 73 Winkles Road just north of the county line due to a house that exploded and was on fire.
Upon the arrival of Polk County Fire Station 7, the house was completely destroyed and a debris field covered several hundred feet in every direction. Firefighters began attacking the fire in the remains of the structure.
Search and Rescue efforts then commenced finding any trapped victims under the rubble.
An 83-year-old who lived at the home was found deceased under the rubble of the structure. By request of the family, the name of the victim is not being released at this time.
Investigators from the Georgia State Fire Marshal’s Investigation Unit responded to conduct an investigation on the cause of the explosion. After the investigation was conducted the investigators on the scene, as well as fire officials, determined that there was no suspicion of foul play, and the explosion at this time is ruled as undetermined however the possibility of the explosion being caused by propane could not be ruled out.
Several structures surrounding the residence where the explosion occurred suffered damage as a result of the explosion. One mobile home was shifted off its foundation.
Neighbors from the houses damaged are currently receiving assistance from the American Red Cross.
The Polk County Fire Department would like to thank all agencies that assisted in the incident, and send their condolences to those affected by this tragedy, and ask the public to keep those affected in their thoughts.