Homeless woman critically injured after trying to get warm
Portland firefighters responded to a vacant house fire on 16 June 2014. The fire, at 9809 Southeast Holgate, involved a home that had reportedly been foreclosed approximately three months earlier and had all the utilities shut off as well.
Firefighters rescued a 52-year old homeless woman from the structure. The victim reportedly suffered severe smoke inhalation and is listed in critical condition.
You can read more accounts such as these as well as news of departments and communities dealing with vacant and abandoned structures on Why We Search.
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Bill Carey is the online public safety news and blog manager with PennWell Public Safety, or more specifically FireRescue Magazine/FirefighterNation.com, JEMS.com, LawOfficer.com and FireEMSBlogs.com. Bill started in the fire service, as a third generation firefighter in 1986, on the eastern shore of Maryland and then continued after moving to Prince George’s County. He served as a volunteer sergeant and lieutenant at Hyattsville. Bill’s writing has been on Firehouse.com, Fire Engineering, FireRescue Magazine, FirefighterNation.com, the Jones and Bartlett 2010 edition of “Fire Officer: Principles and Practiceâ€, The Secret List and Tinhelmet.com. His recent writing on firefighter behavioral health has been nominated for 2014 Neal Award for Best Subject-Related Series.