Madison County fatal house fire ruled accidental

Atlanta, GA – An investigator with the Safety Fire Commissioner's office has ruled a Monday evening house fire that claimed the life of a Madison County woman accidental.

The fire, which occurred around 9:09 p.m., at 528 Jack Sharp Road in Colbert, Ga., killed Patricia Hudson, 61. Hudson was home alone at the time of the fire.

"My investigator has determined that the cause of the fire was the result of unattended cooking on a stove," Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner Ralph Hudgens said. "The home was destroyed by the blaze."

Commissioner Hudgens' Fire Investigation Unit was assisting by the Madison County Sheriff's Office.

In 2018, fire has claimed the lives of 46 Georgians.