A woman who lived in a basement-level apartment with her son and cat in the 7200 block of Moller Avenue escaped a fire that started there, even though she searched for her cat in the smokey room rather than leaving immediately, with her son.
Maplewood Fire Chief Terry Merrell said the fire was the result of an unattended candle that caught room furnishings on fire. He said there was little fire damage but the large amount of smoke required that the adjacent apartment be vacated until the smoke could be cleared.
The woman, Angela Umphery, said, “I saw the flames and put them out before the fire department got in my apartment. I couldn’t see my cat but saw flames and saw a lot of smoke. I finally got out (after trying to find and rescue her cat) but fainted briefly from the stress of it all.” She said Wednesday Maplewood firefighters retrieved her cat.
Her 9-year-old son, who lives with her, saw the smoke first and ran out the door, “While I risked my life to go in the apartment,” she said.
Merrell said there were no injuries that required hospitalization but the occupant (Umphery) was exposed briefly to smoke and examined at the scene. He said the Maplewood building inspector determined her apartment is uninhabitable due to water and smoke damage. All the other residents were able to return to their apartments after the smoke was cleared.
Umphery said Red Cross and United Way are helping her but she needs a place to stay. Her sister has started a Go Fund Me page.
Wow well said and thanks for sharing my story. I am thankful no one else in the building was effected and no one got hurt. I am thankful for all the help and support I have received.