A 2 1/2 year old child was saved from a burning home Wednesday morning due to the efforts of many emergency personnel. The 4th Street home, off Spring Creek Road, was totally destroyed.
The fire is believed to have begun on the stove from sausages accidentally left cooking. The grandmother told fire officials that she forgot to turn the stove off when she left for work at about 7:20 am. By 7:45 am, there were visible flames from the home.
17 year old Cortney Barr was awakened by her 5 month old daughter. She immediately smelled smoke and when she opened her bedroom door found the home filled with smoke and impassable.
Cortney kicked out her window and escaped with her 5 month old. She sustained a serious cut from the broken window that later required stitches. Ms Barr then rushed to the window of her 2 1/2 year old daughter, Jonaria. She broke out that bedroom window and began yelling Jonaria's name and, getting no response, began to yell to neighbors for help.
Jeff Kelly, a City employee, was on Spring Creek Road on his way to work when he spotted the smoke. Jeff, also the Climax Volunteer Fire Chief, said that instead of turning right for work, he turned left and was on scene first. He reported the house was fully involved and verified to 911 the reported entrapment.
Fire Station 2 is located on Spring Creek, only blocks away. Firefighter Nelson Harrell stated that the fire truck had not even come to a stop before Jeff Kelly was pulling a hose off. Mr Kelly then rushed to the trapped infant's window. Jeff Kelly stated he could see the flames beginning to blaze at the infant's bedroom door and, from the window, extinguished the flames entering the bedroom.
Jeff Kelly's quick action ensured the few precious minutes of life needed for firefighters to rescue young Jonaria Barr.
Public Safety Officers had arrived and were putting on their gear to enter the burning house. After extinguishing the bedroom flames, Jeff Kelly moved to the front door area and knocked down the flames there which allowed firefighters to enter the house.
Cpl Marvin Knight and Officer Brian Palmer entered the burning and smoke filled home. They made their way to the bedroom and searched the room for the child. The smoke made visibility very difficult as they first checked the bassinet, then the bed in the room, and then under the bed.
A few seconds later they found the infant in a basket of clothes. It was obvious to them that Jonaria was attempting to protect herself from the heat by burying herself in the clothes. Officer Palmer turned the child over and was relieved to hear a moan from her.
Officer Palmer scooped up the baby and rushed her to waiting EMS. In addition to the paramedics, Dr Wilson, a hospital physician, had also personally responded to the scene. He joined the paramedics in the ambulance providing emergency treatment as the child was rushed to the hospital.
At about 2:40 pm, a jet dispatched from the Augusta Burn Hospital, departed Bainbridge with Jonaria and her mother, Cortney Barr.
Asst. Fire Chief Doyle Welch praised the efforts of all involved at the fire scene. Cpl Marvin Knight also thanks the neighbors for their cooperation. "We have had 2 fatalities on our shift this season," Cpl Knight stated, "and we are very thankful that today we were able to save Jonaria.".
