Man dies after threatening firefighters to stay away from burning home

ELKO, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Houston County Fire investigators are trying to find out why a man barricaded himself inside a burning home.

It happened Saturday around 11 p.m., at 642 Hwy 26 East in Elko.

When firefighters arrived on the scene they were told a man was still inside the home. As the firefighters and Houston County deputies attempted to enter the house they were met by 51-year-old, William Kezar, who threaten to shoot the deputies and firefighters if they didn’t leave.

“Shortly after deputies and firefighters backed out of the house gunshots could be heard coming from inside,” according to a written statement from the Houston County Sheriff’s Office.

However, the autopsy on Monday revealed Kezar died of smoke inhalation, and carbon monoxide.

Houston County Lt. D. Carrick says the gun shots heard by the first responders could have been from ammunition and guns found inside the charred house following the fire.

Kezar lived with his daughter Katie Kezar and his father Charles Kezar, who owned the Elko home.

Charles Kezar was at home at the time of the fire but made it out of the burning house safely. Katie Kezar says she was not at home at the time of the fire. She and her grandfather, Charles declined further comment.