Fatal Elberton fire linked to improper use of fireplace

ELBERTON - State fire officials say an overloaded fireplace led to a blaze that killed a woman in east Georgia. <br /> <br /> Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner Ralph Hudgens said in a statement that a fire that killed 49-year-old Anita Boyd of Elberton Friday afternoon was caused by the improper use of a fireplace. <br /> <br /> Hudgens says the woman's fireplace was overloaded and the fire screen eventually became unsecured. Hudgens says that allowed embers to escape and light nearby combustibles on fire. <br /> <br /> Hudgens says the woman's home was destroyed and he estimates the fire caused roughly $50,000 in damage.