Neighbor unable to save woman, boy killed in fire

Two people pulled from Douglas County home die later at the hospital.

A neighbor tried desperately to rescue two people from a burning Douglas County home. But the fire was too intense, and killed a woman and a 10-year-old boy.

Willie Mason told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution someone was banging on his door late Monday, and he opened it to find a neigh- bor telling him there was a fire. Mason’s wife called 911, and he quickly ran to help.

Mason said he first tried to get in through the front door, but the heat was too intense.

“I ran around to the back, got my flashlight, came back and I kicked the back door open,” Mason said.

Inside, Mason tried to crawl to

reach those trapped inside, but was forced out due to the smoke. He tried again a second time.

“I was willing to give up my life for their lives,” Mason said.

The fire broke out at a home on Boulder Park Drive in Lithia Springs, according to Rick Martin, communications director for the county. Two people were pulled from the home, but later died at the hospital, Martin said.

The victims were identified late Tuesday morning as 28-year-old Stacia Williams and Jermaude Earl, Martin said.

Mason said the boy loved to

play basketball. He would often ask to use the basketball hoop behind his home, but Mason repeatedly told him he was always welcome to play and didn’t need to ask.

Mason said he knew he could’ve lost his own life in the fire, but felt like he had to try. As a 9-year-old boy in 1975, Mason’s younger sister and brother perished in a fire, he said.

“I felt that I should save their lives because I didn’t get the chance to save my sister’s and brother’s lives,” he said.

Two firefighters were injured battling the blaze, Martin said. Both were treated and released from a local hospital.

Investigators believe the fire started in the basement of the home, which was destroyed.

The exact cause has not been determined. The Douglas County Sheriff ’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and the State Fire Marshal’s Office were assisting with the investigation.

The two deaths bring the number of Georgians killed in fires this year to 41, according to the state fire commissioner’s office.

JOHN SPINK/JSPINK@AJC.COM Willie Mason (right) hugs neighbor Kiara Huff on Tuesday. He was unable to save Stacia Williams, 28, and Jermaude Earl, 10, from their burning home on Boulder Park Drive in Lithia Springs.

JOHN SPINK/JSPINK@AJC.COM A Douglas County fire investigator looks through the home Tuesday. Two firefighters were injured battling the Monday blaze, an official said.