A.J. and Tina Chitwood died Monday morning after fire swept through their home a few miles north of Clarkesville.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating an early morning mobile home fire that killed a couple near Clarkesville. Habersham County Deputy Coroner Ken Franklin identifies the victims as 44-year old Tina Marie Chitwood and her husband, 28-year old Adam Jeremiah “A.J.” Chitwood.
The fire at 180 Waterway Court was first reported at 6:18 a.m. Monday. Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Chris Stephens says the Chitwoods were pulled from the bathroom of their burning single-wide mobile home by firefighters. Emergency crews worked to resuscitate them on scene. They were transported to Habersham Medical Center where they were pronounced dead shortly after 7 a.m.
Franklin says it appears the couple died of smoke inhalation. An exact cause of death has not been determined. The bodies are being sent to the state crime lab for autopsies.
A family dog also died in the fire.
Family members tell Now Habersham Tina was the mother of two sons. Her 16-year old lived with his mom and stepdad but was not at home at the time of the fire.
Firefighters from Clarkesville, Habersham County and Lee Arrendale responded to the call. EMS and Habersham County Animal Care and Control also responded. Emergency crews were still on the scene as of 9 a.m.
Stephens says the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
