December 31, 2004

Fire in trailer displaces woman, infant

       A mother grabbed her baby and escaped from her trailer Thursday morning before a fire destroyed the home.  The 18-year-old woman, Anna Rosa Moran, received second-degree burns on her right arm and her 5-month-old son suffered from smoke inhalation, according to Lt. Jim Engmark at the White River Township Fire Department.  Both were taken to Community Hospital South in Indianapolis and released Thursday afternoon.

         Fire investigators determined a pan of oil left unattended on the stove started the fire at about 10 a.m., Engmark said. The blaze began in the kitchen and quickly spread throughout the mobile home at Glendale Trailer Park in Greenwood, he said.  Moran was heating up some bottles for the baby who was in the back bedroom, Engmark said. She took a bottle to her child and when she came back, the kitchen was on fire, he said.  She unsuccessfully tried to put the fire out herself by throwing a towel on it and trying to pat it out, he said. Moran thinks that is how she got the burns on her arms, Engmark said.  Moran called 911 and grabbed the baby before leaving the trailer and going across the street.  No working smoke detectors were found inside, Engmark said.

         About 24 firefighters from Greenwood and White River Township responded to the trailer park and had the blaze under control in 30 minutes, he said.  Neighbors told firefighters that the mom and child were still in the trailer, and they did a quick search before establishing no one was inside, Engmark said.  Engmark did not know the estimated damage from the fire or if Moran had insurance.  Moran plans to stay with friends down the street. The American Red Cross is also providing help for the family, including baby food and clothing, Engmark said.  (Reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)
 

 
          
 
 

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