Crime & Safety
Electrical Malfunction Caused Lithonia Woman's Death
A woman died in a house fire on Monday due to electrical problems, authorities said.
The fire that killed a Lithonia woman in her bedroom Monday was caused by an electrical issue, DeKalb County fire investigators announced.
The woman has been identified as Natalie Porter, a mother of three in her 50s who was battling an unspecified ailment and needed oxygen in order to breathe, according to her family. "It had something to do with her lungs. She had health problems," said neighbor Lovely Watkins.
Porter's youngest son, a high school senior, was trying put out the flames with a water hose when firefighters arrived at the Timor Trail residence shortly before 3:30 p.m. A family member told CBS that Porter has two other sons who are away serving in the military.
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A family dog got out safely when the fire started. Neighbor Jeremy Randele told CBS he heard a small explosion inside. "I guess as the flames erupted... the oxygen tank exploded."
DeKalb County spokesperson Alisa Jackson said no foul play is suspected.
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