The first Sandy Springs death from a fire since the city was formed was recorded Jan. 9 when Sandy Springs Fire/Rescue was unable to safely remove 74-year-old Dale Darnel, from a basement bathroom of his home at 875 Marseilles Drive.
Three other people in the house escaped from the fire. His body was located by firefighters after extinguishing the fire. He was taken by the medical examiner’s office for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Investigators from Sandy Springs Fire/Rescue assisted by the State Fire Marshal’s Office, Sandy Springs Police, and the Medical Examiner’s Office are continuing to investigate the cause of the fire. Preliminary indications are that the fire started in the basement area but further investigation will continue to pinpoint the area of origin.