Two homes destroyed in separate fires

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Mobile Fire-Rescue said two house fires this week in Theodore caused about $50,000 in damage. The two families who escaped said they are thankful to be alive.

They spoke to FOX10 News, Thursday.      

The latest house fire in Theodore happened on Old Pascagoula Road, Wednesday night.

An older trailer burned and the dense smoke inside left the three family members living there few options for escape.

“The only way out was that bedroom window,” said Jonathon Brandow.

Brandow and his girlfriend, Casey Lowry, had to squeeze themselves out a bedroom window that's only about a foot wide and somehow managed to get their one year-old son out as well.

“She had him wrapped up in her chest, with a blanket over his head and when we come out of this window she handed him out and she jumped out,” said Brandow, “She's all bruised up, her whole hip is black and blue and I'm cut up on my shoulder and back … I didn't think we was going to make it through the window.”

Unfortunately, the family's 6-month-old pit bull, Kēdda, didn't survive.    

Brandow said Kēdda was in her pen near the fire's origin, he broke a window open and used a hose to spray water inside, but the fire lashed out toward him and he retreated.

“I can't replace [Casey]. I can't replace me, or my son,” said Brandow.

The family suffered from smoke inhalation and was treated at Spring Hill Medical Center.   

Fire investigators said the fire started in a bathroom and may have been caused by an electrical malfunction. 

Wednesday morning, a Theodore home on Hillview Drive burned, but the family inside had an exit strategy.

“I screamed fire, and we've always had a fire plan to meet in front of this oak tree. I guess I screamed fire three or four times, and all four of my little ones got up and ran out to the tree, and I ran out behind them,” said Brittnay Dixon.

In that fire, investigators learned that an over loaded electrical cord on a space heater started the fire. 

Mobile Fire-Rescue wants to remind you to test your smoke detectors often and replace its batteries every six months.   

A detector should be placed on the inside and outside of all sleeping areas.