JONESBORO, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Three people, all adults, survived a fire that gutted a home in Jonesboro, firefighters said.
Clayton County firefighters got the call just after 7 a.m. Tuesday. Rodney Willis lived in the Darby Court home with a roommate and the roommate's girlfriend.
"I heard my roommate screaming," said Willis. "I asked if he was alright, and he said it was a fire back there."
Willis said he ran to his roommate's room and saw that his bed was on fire. The roommate was trying to fan the flames with a blanket, which Willis said seemed like a bad idea.
"I told them to come on out. He was trying to get his cell phone. His girlfriend was trying to get her pocketbook. I'm telling them to come on out. They (don't need) to worry about those material things," said Willis.
All three escaped and ran outside. Within minutes, flames had gutted much of the home. The occupants said they lost almost everything they own.
Willis said he's glad they all got out okay, especially considering how close he got to the flames. His beard and mustache were slightly burned when he opened the door to his roommate's bedroom.
Firefighters are investigating the cause of the fire.
Ruben Brown, a spokesman for the Red Cross, said a disaster relief team will assess the situation and try to help the victims get back on their feet.
Stay with CBSAtlanta.com for updates on this developing story.
Copyright 2012 WGCL-TV (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
All content ©Copyright 2000 - 2012,WGCL-TV, CBS Atlanta. (A Meredith Corporation Station) and WorldNow. All rights reserved.
