Fire Fighters Rescue Two Trapped In Apartments

Alabama Mobile At least two people were trapped inside their burning apartments when fire fighters arrived on the scene.

by Jessica Taloney

Published: Fri, January 23, 2009 - 5:00 pm CST Last Updated: Fri, January 23, 2009 - 5:04 pm CST

When fire fighters arrived at the South Haven Senior Living Apartment Complex, at least two people were still trapped inside.

"We went around back and we went in and heard a lady. She was screaming," says Joshua Williams, Jr., one of the first fire fighters on the scene.

A 49 year old disabled woman was found lying on the floor several feet from her wheelchair. She was unconcious and suffered severe smoke and heat inhalation and burns to more than 10% of her legs.

Fire fighters also discovered an 84 year old neighbor standing with her walker in her smoke-filled hallway. She was carried out of the burning building and taken to a hospital because of difficulty breathing.

Investigators don't know what caused the fire, but they believe it started in Unit 58, which was occupied by a 72 year old man. The man managed to escape on his own, but suffered 2nd degree burns on his back.

A fourth victim, a 65-year-old woman, was rescued by her neighbor, who pulled her out of her burning apartment through her bedroom window. Both the resident and the heroic neighbor, who family members identified as Connie Johnson, 65, suffered smoke inhalation. Johnson also had burns on her face.

All five victims were hospitalized. The apartment complex manager tells News Five all of the units had working smoke detectors, which were sounding when fire fighters arrived.

Tune in tonight to News Five at 10 for more information on the victims.

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