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Demopolis firefighters worked the scene of a house fire last Monday, May 1 on E. Decatur Street. The victim of the fire was Sandra Jones Brock aged 64.

DFD firefighters responded to 715 E. Decatur upon receiving the initial call around 1:55 p.m. last Monday. Upon arrival, the home was found to be fully involved. According to DFD Chief Jeb Bailey, the fire began in the bedroom where the victim was located. The Alabama Fire Marshal’s Office investigated along with the DFD, and it was determined that the fire was accidental. Bailey said the DFD and the AFMO were unable to narrow down the point of origin because it could have been started by one of a couple sources.

Bailey said it took around an hour to get the fire under control, and another 30 to 40 minutes to take care of hotspots, which are isolated pockets often smoldering more than flaming, but could easily restart the fire. The remainder of the time was used to determine the origin of the fire. Bailey said that firefighters and medical personnel were not able to get to Brock until the fire was nearly out.

The DFD responded to the scene with around 13 to 14 firefighters and two engines. Also at the scene was the Demopolis Police Department and Amstar Ambulance Service.

“Our firefighters did an excellent job. We had very adverse conditions as there were high winds that afternoon and gusts, so that was not helping us at all,” said Bailey. “Between the heavy smoke conditions in the structure and high winds, my guys did an excellent job considering those conditions.”