Kathleen house fire leaves one dead, ruled accidental

KATHLEEN, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Houston County fatal house fire that happened early Friday morning has been ruled accidental.  Fire chief Jimmy Williams says the fire left 86-year-old Opal Alford dead.

The state’s Fire Investigation Unit assisted the Houston County Fire Department.  According to Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner Ralph Hudgens, the fire happened around 7:25 a.m.

“Investigators with my office have determined that the cause of the fire was the result of unattended cooking,” explains Hudgens.

The house was destroyed.