More details released in White County fire death

CLEVELAND - The White County Sheriff's Office has released some information in connection with a fatal vehicle fire Tuesday at a residence at 10755 Duncan Bridge Road, Cleveland.

According to White County Chief Deputy Bob Ingram, they received the call at 3:15 p.m. for a vehicle fire with the occupant inside the vehicle deceased.

Ingram said, the vehicle was in the driveway of the residence, the victim was in the drivers seat and the fire was inside the vehicle.

A Georgia Power Co. employee drove by and saw the flames turned around and used the fire extinguisher in his vehicle to extinguish the flames, but it was too late.

Ingram said they are pretty confident that the victim was 46-year-old Betty Jean Fortner, who lived at that address.

"We are reasonably certain that's who it is," Ingram said. "It was in her driveway, her driver's license in the car, she matches all the description."

According to Ingram, an autopsy will be performed today (Wednesday) at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's State Crime Lab to answers some questions.

"We would investigate that death and make sure that we answer all the questions - who, what, when, why and how," Ingram said. "Clarify the circumstances, cause and manner of death both."

Results of that autopsy are expected to be available by late afternoon, he said.

The incident remains under investigation by the White County Sheriff's Office, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, State Fire Marshal's Office and White County Corner's office.

Glenn Allen, spokesman for Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner Ralph Hudgens, confirmed their office is investigating the death but released few details Wednesday morning.