Tucker Fire Home Demolished, As Investigation Continues

TUCKER, GA -- The home where a mother and her two daughters were killed in a fire has been demolished, even as fire and law-enforcement officials maintained their investigation isn't over.

On Tuesday, Gwinnett County's medical examiner announced she had ruled that Kathy Patterson and her daughters -- Kayla, 12, and Madelyn, 9 -- died of smoke and soot inhalation in an accidental fire on February 9.

The same day, the fire's lone survivor, husband and father Brent Patterson, began having the remains of the home torn down.

But neither development means the investigation of the fire is over, fire officials said.

"The fatal fire investigation is still active," Gwinnett Fire & Emergency Services Capt. Tommy Rutledge said. "Fire Investigators continue to review findings from lab results as they are received ... . The demolition of the house is a matter between the property owner -- Mr. Patterson -- and the insurance company. The fire department is not involved in the demolition of the house."

The fire, in the 1000 block of Pointer Ridge in Tucker, was originally considered an accident. But, in short order, investigators began saying there were "inconsistencies" in the story told by Brent Patterson, its lone survivor.

When the fire department's investigation is complete, it will turn its findings over to Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter to determine whether there are any criminal charges to be filed.

Porter is not bound by medical examiner Dr. Carol A. Terry's ruling that the deaths were accidental.

A fire department news release on Wednesday said it's not clear when a report will be turned over to Porter, "based on continued activity in the case."

"The fire department’s desire from the beginning of the case has been to conduct a complete and thorough investigation into the cause of the fire and the manner of death of three victims," the release said. "We ask that the media and the public remain patient as the steps to bring the investigation to a close and to make known the truth in the matter are completed."

(Photo courtesy Gwinnett County Fire & Emergency Services)