House fire claims area woman, fire chief survives a ‘mild’ heart attack
Fire breaks through the roof of an Old Stake Road home north of Tabor City Wednesday morning. (Deuce Niven, TLT)
By DEUCE NIVEN
tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com
Fire at her Old Stake Road home Wednesday morning, Aug. 28, claimed the life of its sole resident.
Judy Watts, 73, died in the fire reported just before 8 a.m., said Columbus County Fire Marshal Shannon Blackman. She was found in her bedroom, near her bed, Blackman said, and appeared to have succumbed to smoke inhalation.
Blackman said he could not rule out an electrical source of the fire, which began in the attic space of the one-story home, which was deemed a total loss.
Also taking part in the investigation was the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office, the State Bureau of Investigation, and the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
Firefighters and equipment from Fair Bluff, Williams Township, Chadbourn-Klondyke, Loris Fire and Horry County Fire-Rescue and EMS crews from Tabor City Emergency Services and Chadbourn-Klondyke ultimately responded.
Chief Fowler
Tabor City Fire Chief Jeff Fowler, one of the first firefighters to arrive took an active part in firefighting efforts as reinforcements were called to the home inside the Roseland Fire Department District.
Chief Fowler experienced some difficulty on the fire scene and was taken to McLeod Seacoast in Little River, Blackman said.
“He had a mild heart attack and is doing good,” Blackman said. “They are keeping him overnight and he expects to come home tomorrow.”
Look for more on this story in the next Tabor-Loris Tribune in print and online.
