Smoke, heat overcame elderly fire victims

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - An elderly couple remained in critical condition Monday, March 4, in the USA Burn Unit.

Firefighters pulled William and Mary Norris, unconscious, from their burning home on Japonica Lane Saturday night. 

William Norris, 82, wife Mary, 76, were just a few feet from the front door when firefighters pulled them from the burning home.  Both were overcome by smoke before they could make it to safety.

"It's really sad. And apparently, the son had left earlier so they were there by themselves," neighbor Don Pierre said.

Pierre has lived next door to the couple for many years, but he said he hasn't seen them since Christmas.

"They were infirm, both of them," he said.

According to Pierre, William Norris has had two strokes.

"I was surprised that they were able to make it out, especially him," Pierre said.

Pierre said he was worried the fire would engulf surrounding homes.

"That was a really hot fire. And it was going up in the trees there. I was concerned, because we're only about 20 yards away from where the fire was. But an act of God the wind was blowing the other way," he said.

Eugene Minniefield also lives on the street.

"The trees were starting to flame. Some of the leaves on the trees were flaming up.  It was real bad," Minniefield said.

One woman said another neighbor alerted her about the fire just a few yards from her home.

"She started ringing our doorbell and screaming, ‘Jerry! Jerry, the house is on fire.’ I thought maybe it was mine," the woman said.

Fire officials said the fire started in the back of the house, possibly in the area that used to be the sunroom. There is also extensive damage to the back roof and interior of the house.  But fire investigators are still trying to pinpoint the exact cause.

Fire officials said there were several possible causes in the area where the fire started, but they had not narrowed it down as of Monday afternoon.

The couple's son, who was not home when the fire started, was seen sifting through the damage with fire investigators Monday.

While the search continues to find the cause, neighbors are hoping the couple will pull through.

"I just hope they're going to be all right," a neighbor said.

Neighbors said the family dog died in the fire.