TUCKER, Ga. (AP) The Gwinnett County mother who died in a fiery blaze with her two daughters had a blood alcohol level of .242 at the time of death.
WSB-TV reported Tuesday that the medical examiner says despite the level being more than three times the legal limit to drive, there is no evidence the fire was anything more than accidental.
Also on Tuesday, the home where Kathy Patterson and her two daughters, Madelyn and Kayla, died while her husband escaped was demolished.
Brent Patterson has said he and his wife were putting their 9- and 11-year-old daughters to bed when he heard a popping sound downstairs.
He went to check and says he was forced out by the flames. He said he yelled for his family to get out and tried to rescue them but the fire was too intense.
All three deaths have been officially ruled accidental.
The Gwinnett County Fire Department issued a statement Tuesday evening, saying their investigation into the fatal fire is ongoing.
AccessWDUN Staff contributed to this report.
