CARROLLTON, Ga. — Neighbors said they heard an explosion before a deadly house fire in Carroll County.
Carroll County fire officials told Channel 2's Steve Gehlbach they believe Tim Horavath, 57, survived the initial blast that destroyed his house on Holiday Drive in Carrollton Wednesday night.
He even called 911 himself.
Neighbors heard the loud explosion. They said they think it was one of many propane tanks Horton was likely using to heat the home on a cold night.
"The way it exploded, it was either propane or natural gas,” said neighbor Michael Wheeling.
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The fire was so intense it burned the home next door, melted the siding, but no one is living there right now.
The Carroll County fire chief said investigators are still trying to determine the exact cause but think Horton likely died of smoke inhalation.
He was found in the back corner of the house in a bathroom, and likely just could not make it back to the front door, trapped by the flames, officials said.
Wheeling told Gehlbach why he may not have been able to escape out of window.
“The summer of last year, someone broke in and robbed him by knife-point, so he nailed his windows shut. So, it could be the reason he couldn’t get out of the bedroom,” Wheeling said.
An autopsy is underway to determine exactly how he died.
Wheeling said he was upset learning about Horvath's death.
"It's rough, he was a good friend. He was a nice guy,” Wheeling said.
Cox Media Group
