At approximately 2:42 pm, Cobb County 911 dispatched all appropriate units to a commercial building fire with flames at the Ashborough Village Condominiums.
First dispatch sending 5 engines, two trucks with air unit & command 501 from Marietta and Cobb County Fire Departments.
Prior to arrival engine 55 reporting heavy black smoke showing then seconds later E- 55 first on scene advising two story wood frame condo with heavy flames/smoke middle of structure pulling fire attack lines. Rescue was approached that victims were still inside. Command 501 went o/s required additional engines and additional truck.
Recon came back and reported rear of structure heavy fire moving into other units with a grass fire. During this time high winds were hampering operations and helping to spread the roaring fire.
The heavy smoke was causing traffic problems on Delk Road and could be seen for miles.
The main fire was to the middle condo.
During interior operations fire crews had the structure start to collapse causing all fire units to evacuate. PAR was initiated.
Truck 19 was on side one fighting the main fire load from above. Marietta Fire Department (MFD) Truck 51 set up ladder operations on the A/D side of the structure.
During this time command requested additional engines and ladder to scene causing surrounding departments to move into the empty stations.
All media stations from the metro Atlanta set up behind the yellow caution including The Weather Channel waiting on reports from command.
Confirmed reports of two six year old girls were still inside but firefighters unable to rescue due the extreme fire conditions.
Fire Investigators continued throughout the cold windy day to find the cause of the fire.
Units from Marietta Fire, Cobb County Fire, Cobb County Police, Cobb County Sheriff's Dept CSI Division, American Red Cross, Metro Atlanta EMS, Cobb County Medical Examiner and Fire & Police Investigators were on scene.
After further investigation the cause of the fire was four children home alone cooking in the kitchen. Two boys were able to escape but the two girls were unable to.
All Fire Units done a wonderful stopping the fire from spreading.
