January 3, 1978

Mother and child rescued from fire

       A White River township man saved the lives of his wife and eight month old child early  New Year’s Day (Sunday) when he arrived home and discovered their rented mobile home ablaze.  Phillip Burton, lot 184J Wheel Estates, managed to wake his sleeping wife and baby who were able to escape the fire uninjured.  White River township fire Chief Bob Wehrman said Burton arrived home about 2:54 a.m. Sunday and found the front section of the trailer in flames.  He said Mrs. Burton was asleep.  There were no smoke alarms in the trailer, one official said.  “It could have been disastrous,” Wehrman commented.

         Fire officials are still investigating the fire, which they said began around the stove area at the front of the kitchen.  The fire destroyed the rented mobile home and all the contents.  Firemen were called back to the scene at 8:58 a.m. when the fire rekindled.  The Johnson County Red Cross is coordinating efforts to aid the young family, who had no insurance.  Pat McDaniel, executive secretary of the Red Cross said some aid was given to the family after the fire Sunday.  The Red Cross is still seeking donations of food, clothing and household goods for the family.  Persons wishing to donate any articles are asked to call the Red Cross office or Mrs. McDaniel.  Mrs. McDaniel emphasized that the family could use any sort of household items.  She noted that the trailer has been rented furnished, though the Burtons did own the baby furniture.  “I don’t think people realize what everything means,” Mrs. McDaniel noted, adding that the family will have to replace “all the little things around the house.”  The fire at Wheel Estates was one of at least four fires that occurred in the area during the New Year’s Day holiday weekend.

         A White River Township Volunteer Fire Department unit assisted in fighting a fire in Perry Township which gutted the James D. Bowyer residence on South Harding Street.  Firefighters from Perry Township, Wayne Township and Decatur Township in Marion County were also summoned to battle the blaze at the two story frame residence.  According to a Perry Township fire department spokesman, the fire call was received at 9:50 a.m. Sunday.  It was reported that one unit remained on the scene for more than eight hours.  The cause of the fire was reportedly electrical, according to a preliminary report.  Perry Township sent six units and 28 firefighters to the scene, according to fire department records.  Bowyer is a former 6^th District GOP Congressional primary candidate.
 
 

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