Separate Augusta fires kill 82-year-old woman, displace 15

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - An elderly woman has died after suffering burns over 80 percent of her body while she was cooking at her home.

Meanwhile, a separate fire left a building as a roofless shell and displaced 15 residents at the Azalea Park Apartments.

On Telfair Street

The fatal fire was reported at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the 1800 block of Telfair Street, according to the Augusta Fire Department.

When crews arrived, they found a woman with severe burns.

According to a witness, the woman was cooking when the fire jumped onto her clothes.

The woman, identified as Eugenia Gosdin, 82, was taken to the burn center at Doctors Hospital, where she died at 5:35 p.m. Wednesday, according to Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen.

The Richmond County Fire Department and Bowen’s office are investigating.

There was minimal damage inside the home.

At Azalea Park

Later Wednesday, crews battled flames at the Azalea Park Apartments.

The fire was reported around 10:30 p.m. at 1814 Fayetteville Drive, according to the Augusta Fire Department.

Firefighters found Building M fully ablaze, according to the agency.

All residents inside the building were able to make it out safely and uninjured.

Fifteen people have been displaced and are being assisted by the Red Cross.

The cause and origin of the fire are under investigation.

A preliminary investigation is expected to take at least a day.

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