N.C. Man Badly Burned Trying to Save Dog From Fire

Jan. 18--RUFFIN -- One man was badly burned and two other people suffered minor injuries when a fire broke out in their apartment Tuesday.

The Rockingham County fire marshal's office said Frederick Webster II, 45, suffered second-degree burns over half of his body when he went back into the burning building to try to save his dog.

Webster is being treated at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill. Frederick Webster III, 20, and Misty Daniel were treated at the scene for minor smoke inhalation. The fire marshal's office identified them as the elder Webster's son and the younger Webster's girlfriend, respectively. The dog died in the fire.

The fire broke out about 5:30 a.m. Tuesday at Webster Environmental at 146 Ruffin School Road. Investigators said the blaze started in a hallway leading to the front door of an apartment that is part of the building. The fire marshal's office said the hallway had extension cords that went to space heaters in a bathroom.

Fire investigators have not determined what caused the fire but do not believe it was intentionally set.

The fire marshal's office estimated damage to the building and its contents at more than $75,000.

The building damaged by the fire was part of the former Ruffin High School. Webster Environmental bought it in 1986 and used the former science and agricultural building as storage for its equipment. Part of the building had been converted to a four-bedroom apartment, where the fire started.

According to the fire marshal's office, the fire woke up the elder Webster, who then woke up his son. Both got out safely, then broke a window to get Daniel out of the building.

Copyright 2012 - News & Record, Greensboro, N.C.