January 15, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2006-03) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-5806/Fax: (251) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org FIRE CLAIMS LIFE OF ELDERLY MOBILE WOMAN A house fire claimed the life of an 89-year-old Mobile woman early Sunday morning, January 15, 2006. The fire was located at 1918 Old Government Street in the Midtown area. Mobile Fire-Rescue Department received the call at approximately 4:08 a.m. and first firefighters arrived on the scene at approximately 4:11 a.m. reporting heavy fire and smoke coming from the front and roof of the 1-story, word frame structure. The call was received from a nearby neighbor. Firefighters were initially hindered from entering the structure through the front because of burglar bars on the door and windows. Firefighters were however able to kick in a door at the rear of the structure and found the occupant on the floor in the kitchen near the back door. It appeared the occupant was attempting to escape and was almost to safety when she was apparently overcome from the smoke and heat produced by the fire. The fire appears to have originated in the attic of the structure near the front living room. The cause and exact location remains under investigation at this time. There was extensive fire damage to the attic and roof area with “drop down” fire damage in the front of the house with varying degrees of heat and smoke damage throughout. ###