At 10:48 AM on Tuesday, November 18th, the Chattooga County Coroner’s Office was notified of a fatal structure fire on Maryland Drive. Coroner Jeremy McElhaney responded to the scene, where he pronounced an adult female deceased. On Tuesday evening, Coroner McElhaney released the victim’s name, identifying her as 43-year-old Bobbie Marie Blackmon.

The emergency began at 10:17 AM, when a neighbor called 911 to report the home engulfed in flames with a possible victim trapped inside. Fire crews from Summerville, Trion, and Hays State Prison arrived within minutes. Firefighters made an aggressive interior search and attacked the blaze, ultimately locating the victim and cutting a hole in the side of the home to rapidly remove her from the burning structure.

Despite their heroic efforts and rapid treatment by Atrium Floyd EMS, Blackmon did not survive.

The Chattooga County EMA and Sheriff’s Office Chaplain Joel Smith also responded, offering support to the family. The Georgia State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire, though officials say foul play is not suspected.

Blackmon’s body will be transported to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office for further examination.

This marks the fourth fire fatality in Chattooga County in 2025. Coroner McElhaney is urging residents to use extreme caution with space heaters, fireplaces, and other heating devices as colder weather moves in.