Authorities ID One of Three Bodies Pulled from Rubble of Ball Ground Fire

The has confirmed that one of the bodies pulled from the rubble of last week's fire in Ball Ground is that of 46-year-old Darlene Norrell.

"Identification was made by dental records," said Lt. Jay Baker, the spokesman for the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office.

But it will "likely take weeks" before authorities can positively identify the other two bodies, he said.

It is presumed that Norrell's husband and daughter, 49-year-old Ricky Norrell and 19-year-old Lindsey Norrell, also died in the fire at the family's home.

No one has had contact with the family.

"It appears likely that in fact it is them," Baker said last week.

Neighbors called 911 after hearing an explosion at 818 Spriggs Trail at about 3:45 a.m. July 18. When Lt. Wesley Densmore and other firefighters arrived on the scene, the house was already on the ground.

Identification of the remaining bodies will have to come through DNA tests, and that takes time.

Baker did not say why authorities could identify Darlene Norrell through dental records and not the others.

Investigators with the sheriff’s office and the fire department are still trying to piece together the cause of the fire, which has not been determined.

Related content

• .

Don’t miss any of the local news you care about. Subscribe to Canton-Sixes Patch’s free newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.