On December 1, 2022, at 2:25 p.m., Athens-Clarke County Fire & Emergency Services received an alarm for a possible structure fire at 210 Springtree Road. The first fire department units arrived at the scene at 2:29 p.m. They reported seeing smoke coming out of the front door of a single-story residence. Athens-Clarke County Police had an officer at the scene that had forced the door open. Firefighters made a rapid advancement to the interior of the structure to extinguish the fire.

While searching for the source of the fire, crews found a bedroom with a closed door. When they made entry into the room, they saw flame and proceeded to quickly extinguish a small fire that was confined to the bedroom. As they continued to search the room, they discovered a deceased male lying on the floor. A continued search of the home confirmed that the fire had been extinguished and that there was no one else inside the home. The Athens-Clarke County Coroner and investigators from the Athens-Clarke County Police Department were requested to investigate the scene and help establish a positive identification of the victim.

The victim was identified as Alvin Beckom, a male that resided at this address. An autopsy will be performed by the state crime lab to determine the cause and nature of death. The fire’s area of origin and the source of ignition is still under investigation. Fire Chief Jeff Scarbrough conveyed the following statement, “We are deeply saddened for the loss that the family is suffering and our thoughts and prayers are with them.”