Woman burned in fire

Published 12:00 am Monday, October 15, 2007

MURFREESBORO – A Scott Street resident remains hospitalized in Chapel Hill after being pulled from her burning home here Friday morning.

Murfreesboro Fire Chief Bryant Cook reported that Virginia Brown was flown to the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center at UNC Hospital where she remains undergoing treatments.

Brown was home alone at the time the fire was called in at 9:16 a.m.

“There was heavy smoke at the residence when we arrived,” Cook said. “With information that a person may be inside the home, we used a thermal imaging camera. That device was worth its weight in gold because we were able to locate the victim and pull her to safety.”

Cook said Murfreesboro firemen Billy Helms and Bill Harrison entered the residence. They located Brown, who was overcome by smoke, lying on the floor approximately 10 feet inside the front door.

Murfreesboro responded with three units and approximately nine firefighters. The Winton Fire Department was summoned for mutual aid. They sent two units and six men to the scene.

Cook reported the residence suffered heavy damage to two rooms and smoke damage throughout the remainder of the home.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Cook thanked the Winton firemen and the Murfreesboro Police Department for their assistance.