ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
At approximately 12:40 p.m. Sunday April 5th, 2020, Santuck and Seman Volunteer Fire Depts, Elmore County Sheriff’s Office, Haynes Ambulance and the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s office were called to the 2600 block of West Central Road for a house fire.
Upon arrival, firefighters found smoke coming from the structure and active fire in the living room. One person was still reported trapped inside the structure. Firefighters made entry through the front door and members from both departments quickly conducted numerous search attempts to locate the victim.
On the third attempt, one person was found alive in the kitchen area, and brought out through the front door. A sheriff’s deputy also attempted to knock down the fire with a fire extinguisher through the front door. Once the patient was brought outside, other firefighters on scene attended to the patients’ medical needs until the ambulance arrived on scene.
Haynes Ambulance transferred the patient to a Life Flight helicopter, which flew the patient to UAB. While this was going on, other first responders on scene made entry to conduct a secondary search for any other victims and to extinguish the fire.
No other victims were located inside the house, and the fire was brought under control quickly. The person inside the home is expected to recover.
Due to the nature and injury associated with the fire, Deputy State Fire Marshal’s Dalan Gassett along with Riley Foshee and his detection dog named Jimby were brought in to investigate. Jimby is the only detection dog working for the State Fire Marshal’s office.
It was truly a team effort Sunday that saved a life, and a great show of dedication to the communities which all agencies show.
The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating this fire for possible arson, but no further information was immediately available.
