Maintenance worker faces charges in fire injury case

CLEVELAND - White County sheriff's officials reported Friday that an arrest warrant has been issued for 47-year-old Robert Gaddis of Cleveland, the maintenance person at the mobile home park where a 22-year-old White County woman was seriously burned in a flash fire incident Tuesday.  

 

State Fire Marshal's Office Public Information Officer Laura Wright said via email on Wednesday, "An open propane gas line that was previously connected to a heater caused a flash fire. The heater had been disconnected and no cap or gas valve was on the gas line."  

White County Sheriff's Office spokesman Capt. Tim Chapman said the warrant for reckless conduct was taken by the state fire marshal.  

Chapman said the charges stem from when Gaddis, who provided  maintenance at Taylor Mobile Home Park on Purple Star Lane, allegedly hooked up a  gas stove but not a heater, leaving an open gas line. 

The  22-year-old woman, identified as Autumn Wade, suffered severe burns over the majority of her body. Wade was transported by ambulance t the burn center at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta.

According to reports, the woman is listed in serious condition.  

Chapman said White County Sheriff's Investigator Jason Davis is continuing to investigate and more charges could be filed.