79-Year-Old Wyoming Woman Dies in Fire Near Deaver
A fire left one woman dead Tuesday afternoon near Deaver, in northern Wyoming.
Big Horn County Sheriff Ken Blackburn says Dorothy Creed, 79, did not survive the blaze which occurred on Lane 5 ½.
Nick Loftus, chief of the Deaver-Frannie Fire Department, says firefighters arrived and were told that someone was still in the house. They quickly searched the home in an effort to get everyone out, but conditions quickly became dangerous and firefighters were forced to leave the home.
Several family members were also living in the home at the time. No other injuries were reported.
A number of dogs may have perished in the blaze; Loftus says up to six dogs may have been inside the home at the time of the fire, but there was no way to confirm that information.
"Our hearts to out to the family for their loss," Blackburn told K2 Radio News on Thursday, adding that an autopsy has been scheduled.
Despite the tragedy, Blackburn praised the work of firefighters and other emergency workers who responded to the blaze.
"The fire department had a very impressive response," Blackburn said. "They did an outstanding job fighting the fire along with all the other first responders."
"A lot of our volunteers don't get the credit they deserve," Blackburn said of the Deaver-Frannie firefighters.
Blackburn and Loftus were unable to comment further, as the state fire marshall continues to investigate the blaze.