Firefighters battle a blaze that claimed the life of an Arab woman Monday night. The mobile is located in the Countryside Mobile Home Park just off Fry Gap Road. Arab Today photo by Dwight Hayes

Firefighters prepare to search this mobile home Monday night after flames were extinguished. Arab Today photo by Dwight Hayes

November 7, 2011
A mobile home fire has claimed the life of an Arab woman and injured her husband. Deborah Hartwell of Country Side Mobile Home Park just off Fry Gap Road died in the fire that broke out around 9:00 pm Monday night. Her husband, Gary Hartwell, was injured in the blaze and was transported to Marshall Medical Center North. He was admitted to the hopsital suffering from smoke inhalation. A son who was home at the time, escaped without injury. The family dog also died in the fire.

Arab Fire Chief Ricky Phillips said that neighbors reported hearing an explosion and then the home burst into flames. The interior of the home was almost totally engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. Firefighters found Gary Hartwell lying on the ground near an entrance to the trailer. He had become overcome by the smoke while trying to rescue his wife.

Members of the Arab Fire and Rescue and 4-C Volunteer Fire Department responded to the fire. The fire was brought under control quickly by the responding units, but Mrs. Hartwell, who was in a bedroom was apparently overcome by the smoke and fumes. Mrs Hartwell was transported to Marshall Medical Center but was pronounced dead after emergency personnel were unable to revive her.

The cause of the fire is unknown and is being investigated by Arab Fire Department officials. Due to the death and injuries, the State Fire Marshall has been called in to assist in the investgation and will be on scene on Tuesday.