From The Tribune staff reports
CENTER POINT — A 7-year-old was killed, and another person was critically injured in a house fire in Center Point around 6 a.m. on Sunday, December 5.
According to Center Point Fire Chief Gene Coleman, firefighters responded to the 2700 block of 7th Place Northeast to a house fire. Upon arrival, firefighters found the structure heavily involved with fire.
“Firefighters went in, did a search located two, and they were pulled from the structure,” Coleman said. “Transported the adult to UAB, the 7-year-old female went to Children’s Hospital.”
After arriving at Children’s Hospital, the 7-year-old succumbed to her injuries.
“A young man was downstairs was awakened by the smoke detector and attempted to reach the ones that upstairs but could not get them due to smoke and fire conditions,” Coleman said. “From there, he called 911, but he was not injured.”
Trussville Fire Department also responded to the fire and assisted Center Point Fire with containing the blaze. Coleman said the fire appears to be accidental.
Coleman addressed the importance of a working smoke detector and sleeping with your bedroom door closed.
“That increases your chances of survival so much because if you get an early alert then you can get out of the house, and then with the bedroom door slows down the travel of smoke and fire,” Coleman said.
The story will be updated when more information is available.