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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Local scam too scary for parents to ignore ... Log shortage forces another round of layoffs at Rough & Ready ... Central Point council approves pot tax ballot proposal ... Local scam too scary for parents to ignore ... Log shortage forces another round of layoffs at Rough & Ready ... Central Point council approves pot tax ballot proposal ... GRANTS PASS Exploding ammo drove off attempted rescue in fatal fire Comment By Jeff Duewel Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Jeff Duewel Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Feb. 10, 2016 at 4:42 PM By Jeff Duewel Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Feb. 10, 2016 at 4:42 PM » Social News Family members of Lorina Mae Maupin say a passerby nearly saved her from the fire that claimed her life, but exploding rifle shells forced the would-be Good Samaritan back. The 71-year-old Maupin died Sunday in a fire that started when she used kerosene in her woodstove. Laura Ross, who lives nearby, called 911 and was one of three people who tried to save Maupin before firefighters arrived at 258 Gordon Way, two miles east of Grants Pass near Chinook Park. Ross told Lt. Mike Shaw of Rural/Metro Fire Department and the Daily Courier that she crawled within a few feet of the woman and heard her cries for help but was forced back when the ammunition started exploding. Maupin was found dead in the kitchen, and Ross said she had crawled from the living room into the kitchen before being turned back. "I started calling out to the lady," Ross said. "I tried to tell her I had my hand sticking out and I could drag her out. I couldn't see anything, couldn't breathe. I asked her if she could hear me and she said yes. That's the last thing I heard her say." Neighbor Gilbert Peacock and a third man also got into the house but were turned back by heavy smoke. Peacock's account differs from Ross's, but Shaw said Ross's description matched the layout of the small house, and her story is credible. Ross stayed and talked to family members, who arrived after the fire was out and firefighters found Maupin dead. "She almost saved my grandma," said Jayme Baker. "She's a hero in my eyes." Lori Allen, who is Maupin's daughter and Baker's mother, said Monday that the ammunition was probably stored in the attic, leftover from guns her late father used to shoot. Family members say Maupin had habitually used the kerosene to stoke her woodstove fires, despite repeated attempts to stop her. Evidence at the scene of the fire indicates the fire flared up and started Maupin's clothes on fire, according to Shaw. "We don't understand the thinking, and why she was doing that," Allen said. "We tried to get other people living with her and taking care of her. She wouldn't allow it. "She was a true believer in God, and a forever mom who loved all kids," Allen said. "I can't understand why she died such a horrific death." Reach reporter Jeff Duewel at 541-474-3720 or [email protected] By Jeff Duewel Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Jeff Duewel Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Feb. 10, 2016 at 4:42 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501