Three Dead in Southwest Atlanta House Fire

Aug. 12--Three people died Tuesday in a house fire in southwest Atlanta early Tuesday, authorities said.

The fire was reported about 2 a.m. in a brick split-level home on Revere Road, in a neighborhood that sits between I-285 and Fairburn Road.

The identities of those killed were not immediately available, but Atlanta fire spokeswoman Janet Ward said at least two of the victims were elderly.

Neighbors told Channel 2 Action News that the victims were a a bedridden man, his wife and their adult child, and that a fourth family member was out of town when the fire broke out.

Fire officials have not said what sparked the blaze, but neighbors told Channel 2 that they suspect a lightning strike as there were strong storms in the area when the fire broke out.

Neighbor Patricia Culpepper said she looked outside to see a tree in her yard on fire from a lightning strike, then saw her next-door neighbor's home consumed by flames.

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