Nation 5 children dead. A home burned to the ground. How a 1976 Georgia arson devastated one family October 13, 2021Wayne Ford, Athens Banner-HeraldComments Off on 5 children dead. A home burned to the ground. How a 1976 Georgia arson devastated one family On October 11, 1976, the Thomas home was set ablaze, killing five children. James and Jeannette Thomas recall the tragedy decades later.