Posted on 10/16/2005 3:44:23 PM PDT by DuckFan4ever
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - A fire destroyed a mobile home, killing a 600-pound, homebound man who could not be moved out in time despite the efforts of neighbors and firefighters.
Timothy Lee Morris, 45, called 911 from his home when it caught fire Saturday afternoon but couldn't get out by himself, fire officials said. His daughters, ages 8 and 13, summoned neighbors, but they were unable to move him.
"He was in the front room. We tried and tried to yank him out," said neighbor Clinton Turner. "He kept saying, 'Help,' but we couldn't get him out."
Authorities said police and firefighters eventually were able to put Morris on a backboard and slide him out the front door. Morris had several health problems, including breathing complications.
"Timmy probably didn't get burned at all," Battalion Chief John Nelson said. "He probably died from smoke inhalation."
Two firefighters were treated at a hospital for heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation. They were "very emotionally distraught they couldn't get him out," Nelson said.
The fire was blamed on an electrical short. The girls' mother wasn't home at the time.
How horrible is this?
Sad story. Fortunately he wasn't burned to death.
What a horrible thing to happen-- for him, for his kids. [I'm going to forego the expected commentary on his weight, his fault, etc.]
Wonder why one of the Fire Fighters didn't throw an extra tank and mask on him....
Doesn't say they didn't. Although..I'd guess that once they got on scene, they slapped a 02 mask on him....probably too late by then.
Sad story....nevertheless.
But upon reading, it appears he died BEFORE the firefighters arrived..
But upon reading, it appears he died BEFORE the firefighters arrived..
LOL...I don't read the articles I just post....
People who have mobility problems for whatever reason would be wise to make fire escape plans for their home. It is a pity and a shame this man couldn't be gotten out, but perhaps it is a lesson to others and their families and friends to prepare for such emergencies.
Bad double post.
Bad.
Never, never, never get an O2 mask near a fire!
Instant BBQ!
The masks the fire fighters use is pure compressed air.
Why didn't they use a mask? ----- Masks are form fitting on a "normal individual" this 600 lb person was far from normal.
Wanna lay odds his family will sue Hostess, MacDonalds, the neighbors, the firefighters, and the municipality?
ping
Didnt the firefighters have a chainsaw?
thats too sad.
I'm not nearly as mean... okay, scratch that. I'm not as mean as y'all make me out to be. I think this is a reasonable question, or at least not an unreasonable one.
If this guy couldn't even get up, what did he do for a living? I mean, it has to cost a lot to eat enough to maintain body weight sufficient to prevent you from walking outside when your house is on fire. I was overweight once when I was a teenager, but nowhere near that degree.
Why does it matter what this now deceased man did/didn't do for a living? I clicked on your profile, and was not surprised by what I found.
You've obviously been called a troll many times and I can see why.
The typical trailer dwelling 600lb man's occupation consists of signing SSDI checks.
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