Document text
CLOUDY Temp: 45 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Wednesday, February 19, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend January 20, 2003 Phoenix fire victims die in hospital Mobile home’s smoke detector had no batteries when the fire ignited Saturday By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune A Phoenix couple died Sunday after suffering severe smoke inhalation and burn injuries while trapped inside their burning mobile home Saturday night. Norman Salsbery, 73, died a few hours after his rescue, and his 62-year-old wife, Mary Salsbery, died Sunday afternoon. The two were found just inside the front door of their single-wide mobile home, which fire investigators estimate was burning at 800 to 1,000 degrees. " They did have smoke inhalation and burn injuries," said Medford Fire Department Batallion Chief Fred LaBraseur. The fire at the Royal Oak Mobile Manor at 4069 S. Pacific Highway, was reported at 9:38 p.m. The Phoenix Fire Department was the first to arrive at 9:46 p.m., with Medford Fire Department units right behind. It took fire crews 10 minutes to control the blaze, which destroyed the mobile home and its contents. LaBraseur said the couple required CPR, followed by advanced life support when they were taken away by ambulance. Fire officials had to push the couple aside to open the front door of the mobile home because they were lying against it, LaBraseur said. Medford Fire Investigator Greg Kleinberg said the fire started in the living room, but the cause of the blaze is still undetermined. The damage was the worst on the west side of the living room. Oregon State Police and fire marshals have been called in to help with the investigation. Kleinberg said investigators believe the Salsberys were probably in the living room when the fire started. "There was a door in the back," he said. "They were probably sitting on the couch." The couple appeared to be smokers, although Kleinberg said that that didn’t necessarily mean a cigarette started the blaze. Kleinberg said a smoke detector was found without batteries. "It was lying on the dresser," he said. It is a terrible tragedy," he said. "I wish everybody would check their smoke detector." Heat inside the mobile home was nearing what fire investigators call "flashover." "Flashover occurs at 1,200 degrees and it was real close," he said. At this temperature all combustible materials burst into flames, and, in the case of a mobile home, create a kind of oven effect because of the metal exterior. Kleinberg, who estimated temperatures reached 800 to 1,000 degrees, said most mobile homes burn faster than a regular house. This mobile home had walls and ceiling that were covered in thin paneling. Kleinberg said residents of the mobile home park didn’t know the Salsberys well. Mr. Salsbery had been under hospice care, he said. The couple’s next door neighbor, Eva Meeker, 84, saw the fire and called 911. Meeker, who relies on oxygen for relief from health problems, said rescue personnel arrived quickly. "They came over and practically ordered me out," she said. Meeker and other neighbors described the Salsberys as a private couple, who would only be seen periodically collecting their mail or doing their laundry. "It’s very sad," said Meeker. "The thing I’m concerned about at this point is their yellow and white cat." Neighbor Ron Day-Anderson said a few mobile homes in the park have had minor fires. "It’s important to have a good working fire or smoke alarm," he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S