Firefighters, EMS saves woman from house fire

In the early morning hours of July 4, Southern Pines Fire and Rescue, along with automatic aid partners, were dispatched to McNish Road in the Talamore community for a structure fire, said Southern Pines Fire and Rescue in a news release.

While en route to the call, the Moore County Dispatch Center advised responding units that there was an occupant that was unaccounted for and believed to still be in the residence. 

As the first two Southern Pines engines arrived, they simultaneously initiated a fire attack and victim search without securing a water supply from a hydrant due to the urgent need to locate the missing occupant.  Crews forced entry into the house and encountered fire in the living room with high heat and low visibility throughout the house.  The fire attack group worked to extinguish the fire while the search group worked without the protection of a hose line to locate the victim. 

Shortly after, fire crews started the search, a female victim was located in a bedroom, face down on the floor.  Crews immediately worked to remove the victim to the front yard where she was turned over to Moore County EMS for lifesaving treatment.  She was transported to the hospital and was showing signs of improvement by the time she reached the hospital.   

The rescued occupant’s husband had been able to self-evacuate through a rear door of the house; however, he had suffered some minor burns and respiratory distress, and he was also treated by EMS.

The fire is being investigated by the Southern Pines Fire Department Fire Marshal Division.  The cause of this fire is currently believed to be accidental. 

Southern Pines Fire Chief Mike Cameron stated, “This home did not have operational smoke detectors; smoke detectors are a necessary lifesaving device that every home in America should have.  There is no doubt in my mind that with working smoke detectors these injuries would have been prevented.”

Responding with Southern Pines Fire and Rescue were Aberdeen Fire Department, Cypress Pointe Fire and Rescue, Moore County EMS, Pinehurst Fire Department, Whispering Pines Fire Department, and the Southern Pines Police Department.

File photo.

Contributed.

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