July 21, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2008-59) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-2857/Fax: (251) 208-2861 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org HOUSE FIRE CLAIMS ELDERLY VICTIM Mobile Firefighters responded to a house fire on Monday, July 21, located at 6813 Somerby Lane in West Mobile, which claimed the life of an 88 year old Mobile woman. A carrier with the Press-Register was on out on her routine delivery of newspapers when she smelled smoke. She rode around to investigate and discovered heavy fire coming from the above address. The carrier called 9-1-1 at approximately 4:55 a.m. to report the fire and knocked on neighbor’s doors to warn them of the fire. Firefighters arrived at approximately 5:03 a.m. reporting heavy fire coming from the front and rear of the one-story, wood frame with brick veneer residential structure. Within a minute firefighters had the knocked down and had discovered the victim, Marie T. Mintz, 88 lying on the floor in her bedroom. Firefighters quickly brought her out of the structure where firemedics determined she had already succumbed to the smoke and heat of the fire. The fire appears to have started in the middle of the combination living/dining room. The exact cause remains under investigation at this time but does not appear to be suspicious. According to neighbors and the victims granddaughter Mintz was a heavy smoker. There were no other injuries reported and no damage to other structures. Damage is estimated at $80 thousand. Engines 6, 22, 29, truck 5, rescue 6 and District Chief Johnny Morris responded. ###