Separate Cobb fires this week claim the lives of two, destroys Must Ministries apartment building

Friends, family, and neighbors have been trying to make sense of the loss of two longtime Mableton residents after a massive house fire claimed the lives of a mother and daughter this week.

Fire officials are still investigating the early morning fire that claimed the lives of 65-year-old Madie Stennette and her mother Geneva Parsons. The two succumbed to injuries they received in a fire at their residence on the 600 block of Kenneth Lane in Mableton Tuesday morning.

Around 7 a.m., children waiting for the bus told their parents that they saw smoke coming from the roof of the home. Neighbors rushed to help. Said one neighbor, “When we got there there was no flames but there was a lot of smoke.”

Those trying to help broke a window to gain access, while another neighbor was able to get in the front door and pull one of the ladies out.

Cobb County Fire PIO Nicholas Danz said, “When we arrived on scene there was heavy fire involvement in the home and bystanders were pulling one victim out of the residence.”

Medics transported that victim to the hospital, but she succumbed to her injuries. After a search of the house, firefighters found the second victim deceased inside the home.

Diaz said, “the majority of the damage is right here on the front corner of the house. That fire had traveled to the attic and pushed all the way to the opposite side of the structure.”

The cause of this house fire is still under investigation

In a different fire incident in Cobb, a massive fire destroyed an apartment building in Marietta that was used by nonprofit group, Must Ministries. The location houses what Must Ministries calls their permanent supportive housing clients – people who have formerly been homeless and can use the apartments for long-term housing while they work to get back on their feet. The building also served as a refuge for disabled transients.

Sixteen people were displaced by the fire that officials say broke out in one of the apartments at Shepard’s Walk Apartments on Osborne Road at around 8:30 p.m. on Monday. According to investigators, the fire quickly spread from one of the units to the other adjoining homes. More than a dozen people are now without their belongings.

Must Ministries President and CEO Ike Reighard said, “So the people who stay here with us are people that become like our family. So tonight, we’re just very thankful for the Cobb County Fire Department. The way they responded so quickly. Buildings can be rebuilt, furniture can be bought, clothing can be bought, but when it comes to our clients, their lives are of utmost importance for what we do at Must.”

In addition to fire damage to the building, one person has been hospitalized due to the fire. The Red Cross was assisting all residents affected by the blaze with temporary emergency lodging and other needs.

MUST Ministries has created a special fund to aid the victims with groceries, medications, hotel rooms and other supplies. People interested in donating can visit mustministries.org/give-help

The cause of the apartment fire has not been released.