A Georgia educator and coach has died following a devastating house fire that left his wife and two young children with serious injuries.
Walker County Fire Marshal Scott Forrest reported that dispatchers received a call at 7:38 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 9, about “smoke inside a home at 127 Ridgewood Circle” near Chickamauga, according to a news release from Walker County.
When firefighters arrived, they encountered heavy smoke and flames coming from the front of the house. Inside, they found John Millican III trapped in a back bedroom, unconscious. He was rescued and taken to a hospital, where he later died.
John’s wife, Heather Millican, and their children, ages 3 and 8, managed to escape before firefighters arrived. They were transported to the Vanderbilt Burn Center in Nashville for treatment of serious injuries.
Heather is a social studies teacher at LaFayette Middle School, while John taught special education and served as a football coach at LaFayette High School, according to a Facebook post shared by Dade County Cross Country/Track and Field. The post also noted that John had recently planned to work with the Rambler track and field program.
Before joining LaFayette High, John taught history and coached track in Dade County, where he was recognized for his dedication to developing the track and field team.
“We are grateful for his efforts,” the Dade County Cross Country/Track and Field team wrote, asking the community to keep the Millican family in their thoughts and prayers, along with those mourning his loss at LaFayette High School and throughout Walker County.
Officials confirmed that the Millicans’ home “is considered a total loss.” An investigation into the fire remains underway, and an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of John’s death.
