A fire that claimed the life of an Alto man Sunday night has been officially ruled accidental.
"The cause was a wood heater sitting on concrete blocks on rotted flooring in the living room that apparently collapsed under it due to weight and rot," said Banks County Fire Chief Robert Wilkins. "The stove pipe separated, allowing embers onto the living room floor starting the fire. Due to the age of the home and the amount of rot found throughout the home in structural components the fire spread rapidly."
The victim of that fire was identified Monday as Wayne Lee Arrowood, 59, of 192 W. Coker Road, Alto, said Banks County Coroner Bobby Eubanks.
Firefighters were called to the fire in the wood-frame structure at 7:44 p.m.
By the time firefighters from Banks County, Lee Arrendale State Prison and Baldwin arrived, the house was fully involved by flames.
