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92-year-old killed in Decatur house fire; 2 more hospitalized

It happened on Medlock Road.

DECATUR, Ga. — Decatur authorities are investigating a house fire that killed an elderly man and left two other people hospitalized. Fire officials said a dog was also killed in a fire.

It happened just after 9 a.m. in the 700 block of Medlock Road, off Scott Boulevard.

When firefighters got there, they found the home engulfed in flames, with the one person possibly trapped inside. Neighbors said flames were shooting about four feet high above the roof.

"While we were fighting fire our firefighters were looking for a victim because we had been told there was a possible victim," said DeKalb Fire and Rescue spokesman Capt. Eric Jackson.

Crews found the 92-year-old man in the center of the home and bad to pull him out. They tried to resuscitate the dog, too, but were unsuccessful.

Emergency officials transported the elderly man and two other victims to the hospital, but the 92-year-old did not survive. Authorities said two others made it out of the home with minor injuries.

Officials have not released the man's identity, however neighbors told 11Alive' Ryan Kruger his name was Harold Smith.

Neighbors 11Alive spoke to said Smith lived in the area for decades and would always see Smith, a veteran, in the neighborhood walking around with his dog. The duo, they said, seemed inseparable.

Right now, investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the fire.

PHOTOS | 92-year-old killed after fire engulfs Decatur home

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