August 7, 2003 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2003-26) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-5806/Fax: (251) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org HOUSE FIRE SENDS RESIDENT TO LOCAL HOSPITAL Mobile Fire Investigators believe a lightening strike to a 2 story, wood frame house located at 252 Park Terrace off Government Street may have been the cause of the fire that sent it's female occupant to a local hospital. The call was received at approximately 10:26 p.m. on Wednesday night, August 6, 2003. Firefighters from Engine 8, stationed at Melton Fire Station on Lafayette Street arrived on the scene first at approximately 10:29 p.m. where the owner of the house met them. He told the firefighters his wife was still in the house upstairs. Firefighters immediately rushed into the house and up the stairs but when they reached the stop they were blocked from moving forward. It was later discovered that the narrow stairway contained an electric stair chair that was blocking the entrance to the upstairs portion of the house. Firefighters Dale Shaw assisted by Firefighters Chris Turner and Gary D'Angelo placed a ladder to the upstairs bedroom window and broke it out to make entry. Firefighter Shaw found the victim lying in the floor of the adjacent bedroom. Shaw and Turner carried the victim to the window and lowered her out to D'Angelo where she brought to the ground and Firemedics began immediate treatment of her. The victim was then transported to the University of South Alabama Medical Center for further treatment. Her condition is unknown. Because of new HIPPA Laws further information on patient injuries and condition, including identification is prohibited. The fire appears to have originated in a den on the first floor of the structure. The fire spread into an adjacent kitchen and caused heavy smoke and heat damage to the remainder of the structure. A vent that lead from the kitchen to the second floor landing contributed to the large amount of heat and smoke that reached the second floor area. Mobile Fire Investigators found evidence that lightening may have struck a pole outside and traveled through the power line into the structure. The investigation is continuing. There is no damage estimate at this time. ###