A deadly fire broke out in an apartment on Windy Hill Road in Smyrna early yesterday morning, which is now being probed as a homicide by the local police. According to FOX 5 Atlanta, the Smyrna Fire Department responded to the emergency around 4:15 a.m. and found an adult's body while extinguishing the fire. Firefighters deemed the circumstances suspicious, leading to an ongoing investigation by Smyrna Police Department.
While the identity of the deceased has not been disclosed, the nature of the incident suggests a crime may have occurred in conjunction with the fire. As reported by Atlanta News First, a K-9 from the fire marshal's office was seen entering the apartment post-blaze, searching for any signs of accelerants or explosives. This latest development provides an added layer of complexity to an already tragic event.
Neighbors have provided potentially crucial evidence pointing towards foul play. Two doorbell cameras were reportedly removed from apartments across from the fire-stricken unit, according to statements obtained by FOX 5 Atlanta. Chartez Bailey, a resident of the complex, told Atlanta News First that his and another neighbor's doorbell cameras had been knocked down or destroyed, with one found dismantled in a creek bed nearby.
"If you guys look at the doors, you can see their cameras are missing," Bailey recounted. "The only thing he was able to catch is the guy grabbing it and snatching it and running," according to Atlanta News First. Further, a man was seen running through the complex with a flashlight around the time of the incident, adding to the suspicious circumstances. The apartment building itself did not sustain visible damage on the exterior, and fire officials have reported that no other residents were affected by the fire.
