Firemen Extinguish House Fire on Joe Jerkins Boulevard

No was seriously injured in a fire at a duplex on Joe Jerkins Boulevard Friday evening. However, a fireman was burned on his ear and his neck and subsequently transported to Grady Hospital, said Austell Mayor Joe Jerkins.

Douglas County Fire Department joined Austell Fire Department to extinguish the blaze, which started when one resident dropped his cigarette on a bed.

Tim Trammell, 52, said his cigarette dropped and caught his bedspread on fire. As he tried to bring the mattress outside, the smoke and fire overpowered him. Soon, most of the room was consumed.

"It just got out of hand," Tim Trammell said. "I couldn't put it out, just too much smoke."

His mother, 86-year-old Evelyn Trammell, also lived in the home. She said she and her son were in the process of moving, so much of their belongings are in their new home.

She said she lived in that home for 22 of the 46 years she lived in Austell.

Tim Trammell was relieved that everyone made it out safely.

"Right now, I'd just like to have a long-sleeved shirt. I'm glad I got everybody out. I was more concerned about her," he said about his mother.

Sherry Watts, who resides in the adjacent duplex, said she immediately began grabbing possessions like photos and her godson's toys when she realized her home was on fire.

Although her home of 15 years is severely smoke-damaged, Watts said she should be able to again inhabit the home and only needs a new couch.

How is she able to cope and remain calm?

"My friends," she said.

South Cobb Patch will continue to update this story about the status of the injured fireman.