An elderly Clarkesville woman has died from injuries she suffered in a weekend fire. 93-year Alene Pence passed away Monday, one day after being admitted to the hospital in critical condition for smoke inhalation.
Officials say Pence was overcome by smoke when fire broke out inside her home at 1114 Sam Bell Road around 4 a.m. Sunday.
State Fire Marshal Office spokesman Glenn Allen says the fire was started by a lightning strike in Pence’s yard. “The lightning did not strike the house,” he explains, “it struck in the yard and then traveled to the house. They have underground utilities at their home. It traveled through that and then inside the house at the basement level and to the HVAC system which caught on fire.”
Pence was at home with a caregiver when the fire broke out. The caregiver discovered the fire and called 911. Allen says units from Clarkesville and Habersham County Fire Departments responded within two minutes.
The caregiver was not injured. Allen says Pence’s home sustained minor damage.
Pence and her late husband Hercshel were co-owners of Pence Feed & Farm Supply in Clarkesville for many years.
Funeral services for Alene Pence are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, January 28, 2017 at the First Baptist Church of Melbourne, 3301 Dairy Road, Melbourne, FL 32904.
An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com.
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home of Cornelia, Georgia (706) 778-8668 is in charge of local arrangements. Brownlie-Maxwell Funeral Home of Melbourne, Florida (321) 723-2345 is in charge of arrangements.
