Shadyside Couple Loses Home to Fire, But Escapes Safely
Jennifer Compston-Strough Trending
Shock, tears and grief resolved in relief as children and neighbors of a Shadyside couple whose home burned Tuesday arrived at the scene to discover that George and Terri Palmer were safe.
"Oh my God you're OK! I was worried," neighbor Carlina Honeywell exclaimed as she cupped George's chin in her hand. "I am so sorry, y'all, but I am so happy to see that face."
Honeywell took a seat beside Palmer on a bench his adult children had moved onto the lawn so he could rest. In addition to claiming the Palmers' home, garage and camper, the family said the blaze had destroyed George's medical supplies including oxygen and a motorized wheelchair.
Belmont County 911 Center dispatched firefighters to the scene at 61420 Webb Heights Road beginning at 4:05 p.m. OR&W Fire District was the agency in charge, and Chief R.C. Fellows said the home was fully involved and the garage and camper were also burning when crews arrived. In addition to OR&W, the Spirit of '76, Neffs and Smith Township fire departments responded. The Salvation Army also had a truck on hand providing drinking water and other supplies for the firefighters.
Fellows said there was no problem accessing a fire hydrant, so the tanker task force did not need to be activated. But he did say the remote location resulted in a longer response time. He estimated that 20 firefighters responded.
He said the female resident was treated at the scene for possible smoke inhalation. George said his wife also had minor burns that were being treated by squad personnel.
George was worried Tuesday evening about where he and Terri would spend the night. He said they could probably stay with a son or daughter. Salvation Army officials later said the American Red Cross had been contacted and would assist the Palmers with shelter and other needs.
Their daughter, Missy, was most concerned about securing medical supplies for her father. Although he was not present when the fire broke out, most of his supplies had been inside the home.
When contacted at the station later, Fellows said the cause of the fire remained undetermined. He added that two people eventually were transported to a local hospital -- one homeowner who had burns and the other who simply was not feeling well.