Local News
Fire destroys home
Related Photos
-
A firefighter with the Meridian Fire Department gets close to a vehicle and house fire in order to drown out the flames on Friday. The home suffered heavy fire, smoke and water damage.
-
Willie Wilson, 84, sits across the street from his home as firefighters battle a blaze that began in his home's carport area Friday morning. Wilson suffered from minor smoke inhalation but was treated by paramedics at the scene. Hope Wheaton, pictured next to Wilson, was one of two people who pulled Wilson from the area as he tried to fight the fire with a water hose.
Discussion
Add a comment on this storyTools
Homeowner said he was lucky to escape
Willie Wilson's car was being cantankerous Friday morning.
The motor would turn over and over every time the 84-year old would rotate the key but for some reason it just wouldn't catch and crank. Maybe it was the cold morning, Wilson thought. It's always a little harder to get a car cranked when the air is cold.
Suddenly Wilson heard a pop, hiss and the next thing he knew he was looking at a wall of fire.
"I had all the windows rolled up and the car filled up with smoke really fast," said Wilson. "I didn't think I'd get out of the car before the smoke got me."
In a matter of seconds the engine area and the interior of the car were engulfed in flames. And things were going to get worse real quick as the flames from the car began licking at Wilson's wood frame home located at 1617 Eighth Ave.
When Meridian Fire Department units converged on the scene at about 10 a.m. they could see heavy flames from the car and along the north side of the home. Thick gray and black smoke billowed into the otherwise clear blue sky. Wilson, having been pulled away from the home by two passerbys, was relegated to watching the smoke fill his home while paramedics gave him oxygen and provided other treatment.
"We were passing by when we saw the fire and smoke," said Hope Wheaton, one of two people who pulled Wilson from the back of the house. "He was in back coughing and wheezing trying to put the fire out with a water hose."
Wheaton and the other person, hearing the approaching sirens from fire engines coming to the scene, convinced Wilson to just move back and let the firefighters do their job.
The vehicle was a total loss and the north side of the home received extensive fire, smoke and water damage. The rest of the home also was completely engulfed in smoke until firefighters were able to knock down the flames and set up fans to ventilate the structure.
While watching all the commotion around his home Wilson, who suffers from a heart condition, said, "The Lord got me out of that car. Otherwise I'd still be in it. And by the looks of the car that wouldn't have been a good thing."
- Local News
-
-
Honing Skills
The men and women who make up Lauderdale County's volunteer fire departments all have one thing in common – the desire to protect and serve their community.
Of course these volunteers don't get paid for their service, and although some are retired, there are many, like Bo Land from the Martin community, who work full-time and have a family.
That means volunteer fire department members must train nights and weekends. -
MPD probing weekend incidents
Detectives with the Meridian Police Department are investigating two incidents that reportedly occurred Sunday, one of which was an alleged armed robbery and the other a shooting.
-
Deadly accident claims two lives
Meridian police are investigating a single-vehicle traffic accident that killed two people and sent two others to a local hospital on Monday.
-
Partnership formed to promote fire safety
Last year, Key Chapter of the American Red Cross responded to 116 single family fires in its seven-county service area – 48 of which were in Lauderdale County.
"That's fires with total or major destruction," said Susan Wehr, executive director of the Key Chapter. -
Happy Birthday Meridian
Sesquicentennial is a big word, but what it means is simple — A sesquicentennial is a 150th anniversary.
2010 is Meridian's sesquicentennial, and the celebrations here will begin this week and go on for the rest of the year. -
Navy League accepting scholarship applications
Each year, the Meridian Area Navy League awards two $500 scholarships to deserving students to help with costs of higher education. This year, however, the organization upped the ante and will bestow two $750 scholarships. -
Arbor Day program set for Tuesday
The Lauderdale County Welcome Center celebrates Mississippi's Arbor Day this week.
-
Fans show team spirit at Temple viewing of Super Bowl XLIV
The smell of hot nachos and cold beer is all around you. You can see beads of sweat falling from Peyton Manning's brow as he hurls the ball. The voice of the announcer booms on the loudspeakers.
-
Star of The Week: Megan Mowdy
Meridian Community College Sophomore Megan Mowdy lives to sing, and she loves to share her passion for music.
20-year-old Megan is a Kemper County resident, and her love of music helped her to become the first member of her family to attend college. -
4-H leader is driving force behind community service
MISSISSIPPI STATE – Newton’s business and civic leaders have always expected a visit from Johnnie Mae Walker on behalf of the annual 4-H bike-a-thon for St. Jude Children’s Hospital, but they grew worried when other people appeared in her place.
- More Local News Headlines
-
