Sept. 29--The valiant rescue efforts of a motorist failed to save an 87-year-old Jacksonville woman from dying as fire raced through her Southside Estates home Saturday afternoon, police said.
The blaze erupted about 4:30 p.m. in the 3100 block of Forest Boulevard off Beach Boulevard. Witnesses saw smoke and flames coming from the home and called 911. The unidentified motorist stopped, broke through a window of the home and searched for any occupants before being forced out by the fire, said Larry Kuczkowski of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
The unidentified victim died at the scene. Neighbors said she lived alone and was a heavy smoker. She'd been in the neighborhood for at least 60 years.
Mark Rheaume, who works nearby, said he saw a plume of smoke and went to investigate. He said he saw the house engulfed in flames and watched as firefighters doused the blaze.
Rheaume said a neighbor told him the woman fell asleep while smoking. Fire marshals were on the scene investigating.
Russell Baughman, who lives across the street, said the woman accidentally set herself on fire on her porch several weeks ago and had to be saved by a next-door neighbor.
Baughman said the woman retired from a job at Independent Life. He said she was fond of feeding the neighborhood cats and would often sit on her porch and wave at passers-by.
"She was very nice," Baughman said.
Jim Schoettler: (904) 359-4385
Copyright 2013 - The Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville
