Wednesday, September 06, 2000
Cousins pull woman out of house fire
By David Eck
Enquirer Contributor
MIDDLETOWN — Sheila Duncan always knew her son and nephew would help someone in an emergency.
Early Sunday, Matt Barrett, 18, and Brian Thomas, 22, cousins and best friends who live just doors from each other, did just that. They pulled a neighbor away from her burning mobile home, which firefighters say was deliberately set ablaze.
“I thank God they reacted like they did,” Mrs. Duncan said. “They used their heads.”
Tonya Jennings, 41, remained in serious condition Tuesday in the burn unit at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton. Mr. Barrett and Mr. Thomas were treated at Middletown Regional Hospital for smoke inhalation and were released.
The incident unfolded on Spring Grove Lane in the Applewood Pointe community shortly after midnight Sunday. Mr. Barrett and Mr. Thomas had finished a day of fishing when they heard a muffled explosion, saw the fire across the street and ran to find a screaming Ms. Jennings just outside her back door.
The cousins pulled Ms. Jennings away from the home, laid her in a neighbor's yard and knocked on the doors of nearby homes to alert others.
“She was really, really burned,” Mr. Barrett said. “It never once popped into my mind that I could endanger my life. There's no sense in letting anybody die if you can help it.”
Mrs. Duncan and her husband, Arnold, cared for Mrs. Jennings until police and paramedics arrived. Neighbors said she was burned on her arms, legs and face.
Middletown Fire Marshal Steve Ludwig said fire and smoke were coming from the north side of the mobile home when fire crews arrived. The home was a total loss, and damage was estimated at $65,000.
An investigation into the blaze is continuing. Mr. Ludwig would not comment on possible suspects.
Teresa Dodrill said she would occasionally talk with Ms. Jennings, her neighbor, but she never mentioned having trouble with anyone.
“She's a real nice lady,” Mrs. Dodrill said. “She just seemed like the kind of person that wouldn't be pushed around.”
The mobile home park is a quiet place with well-kept houses and lawns. Neighbors say the only trouble is the occasional car break-in, chronic speeding and general mischief on the part of children. They were surprised something so violent could happen there. Now some are nervous.
“If it was a random thing, it could happen to anybody,” Mrs. Duncan said. “You definitely wonder.”
A teen-age daughter lived with Ms. Jennings, but wasn't home at the time of the fire, Mr. Barrett said.
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