Fire displaces four
Published 10:52 pm Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Linda Gomer was in her bedroom Tuesday morning when she heard a rumbling noise in the other apartment in her duplex.
“I came out my door and looked and there was a fire,” Gomer said. “I got my son out, and I think I called 911 around 6:40.”
Firefighters arrived at the home in the 400 block of Henry Street to find flames coming from the roof of the duplex. The 66-year-old resident of the rear unit was transported to Sentara Obici Hospital, and then to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where he is in intensive care, according to his son-in-law, Sean Myers. He was being treated for burns to his hand and for smoke inhalation.
Firefighters battled the blaze for about an hour before getting it under control, according to city spokeswoman Debbie George. The Suffolk Chapter of the American Red Cross responded to assist the four adults displaced by the fire.
Gomer, who has lived in the front apartment for five years, was able to salvage her kitchen table and chairs, but most of her other possessions are gone.
“All the bedroom stuff is gone,” she said. “I grabbed a handful of clothes.”
Neighbor David Walker said the fire was put out quickly, and neighbors pitched in to help.
“The firefighters did a good job,” Walker said. “We appreciate all the help. There’s still good folks around here.”
The cause of the fire still under investigation, George said.