A Tragic Day
Morning Fire Claims Life Of Canton Woman, Destroys Homes
— Staff Photos By Malena Ogles
DESTROYED: The remains of a Monday morning house fire that left an elderly woman dead smolder along County Road 2117 in Van Zandt County. Investigators have not yet determined the cause of the fire.
By MALENA OGLES
Staff Writer
CANTON - Karla Jeter's boots crunched on black embers Monday afternoon as she carefully made her way to the spot where her trailer once stood-and where an elderly woman died.
Staff Writer
CANTON - Karla Jeter's boots crunched on black embers Monday afternoon as she carefully made her way to the spot where her trailer once stood-and where an elderly woman died.
A light mist of rain fell on the rubble and steam rose up as Jeter poked the remains of her trailer with a wrench. There, she found a soot-covered clay pot made by her daughter when she was in elementary school and an envelope of singed photographs.
"I'm not really good at talking right now," she said. "It's been a long day."
A passing motorist who saw smoke billowing up from the residence along Van Zandt County Road 2117 called 911 shortly after 8 a.m.
When firefighters from Canton, Whitten, Myrtle Springs and Wills Point arrived, the single-wide mobile home was fully engulfed in flames, and 85-year-old Anna Love of Canton was trapped inside.
Mrs. Love's son, awoken by smoke detectors, escaped the home just before firefighters arrived. He was unable to pull his mother from the flames.
— Staff Photos By Malena Ogles
Karla Jeter’s hands, blackened from digging through the rubble of her burned home, holds the family photographs she recovered.
"The son suffered from smoke inhalation but refused treatment at the scene," Chuck Allen, Van Zandt County Fire Marshal said.
For nearly three hours firefighters worked to extinguish hot spots. At noon, Mrs. Love's body was removed from the home.
Jeter, who was friends with Mrs. Love's son, lived in a small RV parked directly behind the Love house.
When the Love's home burned, so did Jeter's.
"It could have been worse. It could have been all of us," she said.
"It could have been worse. It could have been all of us," she said.
About three years ago, the 85-year-old woman, known as "mamma love" began living with her son. Neighbors said she suffered from Alzheimer's disease and had broken her hip about a year ago making mobility difficult.
"She was real funny - a nice lady. He tried to get her out. He's real torn up about it," Jeter said.
That afternoon, Lou Howard watched as an orange glow slowly enkindled what appeared to be an armchair. Parts of the home reignited hours after crews left leaving four small fires in the yard.
"I wish they didn't let it keep burning," she said as the fire made a loud cracking noise.
Howard was at home that morning drinking coffee when she heard what she thought was a tree falling. Pulling on her slippers, the next door-neighbor of 18 years rushed outside to see her neighbor's house consumed with flames. Firefighters had not yet arrived, and she wasn't sure what to do.
"It was as big as two cars," she said.
Howard went back to her house and called 911, but help was already on the way.
Howard went back to her house and called 911, but help was already on the way.
"I didn't think about anyone being inside," Ms. Howard said softly.
Authorities said four people were living in the home at the time of the fire.
"We were unsure at the time how many victims we had. We originally thought there were three inside," Allen said.
Later, firefighters learned the two other residents were at work and the only person inside was Mrs. Love.
Justice of the Peace Ronnie L. Daniel pronounced Love dead at the scene and ordered the body sent to the Southeast Texas Forensics Lab in Tyler for an autopsy.
Fire investigators have not determined the cause of the fire and are still interviewing witnesses and the residents who lived in the home.
"We have a few more people to talk to. It is still under investigation," Allen said.
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