One Killed in Dublin Fire

ATLANTA – Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King announced today that Robert Lee Height, 61, was killed in a Laurens County fire that occurred at 8:21 a.m. on Thursday, September 2nd.

Commissioner King’s Fire Investigations Unit arrived on scene around 11:00 a.m. to find the 58-year-old, 440-square-foot apartment on Elk Street in Dublin minimally damaged. The investigator determined the fire originated on a couch in the living room.

“The deceased was found by emergency personnel inside the bedroom,” said Commissioner King. “Evidence at the scene indicated Mr. Height was a heavy smoker. We have determined the preliminary cause of this tragic accident to be smoking near combustibles on the couch.”

This marks the 88th death from a Georgia fire in 2021. Mr. Height was buried in Laurens County on September 10th, 2021. Commissioner King’s Fire Investigations Unit assisted the Dublin Fire and Police Departments with this investigation.

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The mission of the Office of the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner is to protect Georgia families by providing access to vital insurance products and safe buildings through fair regulation that creates economic opportunities for all Georgians.