Troup County mother, daughter killed in New Year’s Eve house fire
An early morning residential building fire in Troup County has left a mother and her daughter dead.
The Troup County Fire Department, at approximately 12:06 A.M. on Saturday, December 31, 2022, responded to a 911 call regarding a residential building fire at 83 Old Kimbrough Road in LaGrange, GA 30240.
“Responding units arrived to a home with some roof collapse that was still well involved with the fire,” Troup County officials said. “This prompted firefighters to initiate an exterior fire attack using hand lines with water and firefighting foam in an attempt to suppress the main body of the fire.”
After knocking down the flames, responders tragically discovered two adult females deceased inside the home: Elizabeth “Beth” McDonald, 80, and her daughter Elizabeth “Libby” McDonald, 58.
Among responding units were Engines 1, 4, and 10; Tanker 1; and Truck 1. One volunteer firefighter also provided on-scene assistance as well as Troup County Fire Chief Michael Strickland and Fire Marshal Kevin Norred.
The Troup County Fire Marshal and State Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire to be accidental in nature, having started in a wash room off the back porch from heat lamps.
Troup County Coroner Erin Hackley determined each woman’s time of death to be approximately 2:32am this morning and confirmed that they will undergo autopsies at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s (GBI) office in Decatur, GA.
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