April 18, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2008-31) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-2857/Fax: (251) 208-2861 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org THREE YEAR OLD DIES IN FIRE, MOTHER ARRESTED An approximately three-year-old boy died in an apartment fire early Friday morning, April 18 at the Orleans Apartment’s located at 3901 Michael Boulevard. The called was received from a neighbor at approximately 1:15 a.m. indicating smoke coming from apartment 207 located on the second floor of the wood frame structure. Firefighters arrived at approximately 1:22 a.m. and discovered heavy smoke coming from the apartment and the front door forced open. It was later discovered that a neighbor had forced the front door open in an attempt to get inside and rescue any occupants but was kept out by the thick, choking smoke. Firefighters found the child covered up in his bed and removed him and handed him off to Firemedics on the scene. Mobile Firemedics transported the child to Springhill Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead. Test results at the hospital indicated he had a CO level of 57 which was above the lethal dose of 40. The fire appears to have started in the bedroom where the child was found. Also found was a mother cat and her 3 kittens. The fire was contained to the bedroom with some smoke damage in the remainder of the one bedroom apartment. A downstairs apartment suffered some water damage. Preliminary findings by fire investigators indicate that the fire was most likely accidental but the investigation continues. Evidence was removed from the scene which will be analyzed later. In the course of the investigation fire investigators found what appeared to be an electrical cord with one end tied to the bedroom door knob the other to a utility closet door, which would have prevented the child from getting out of the bedroom. Police and Fire Investigators took the child’s mother, Elizabeth Foster, to Mobile Police Headquarters for questioning. At the scene Foster told fire investigators that she was the last one to leave the apartment to go to work taking with her, her 3-month-old son, thus leaving her three year old home alone. Foster, believed to be in her mid 20’s was questioned and arrested by Mobile Police, specific charges pending at this time. Engines 18, 19, 22, truck 5, rescue 18, District 2 Chief Martin Stanley responded to the call. The case is being jointly investigated by Mobile Fire and Police. ###