Gadsden Woman Hospitalized After North Gadsden House Fire
GADSDEN, AL – A North Gadsden homeowner was hospitalized following a house fire late Thursday afternoon that left her residence heavily damaged.
The blaze occurred on Goldenrod Avenue near Goldenrod Avenue Baptist Church, just off U.S. Highway 411. Smoke from the fire was visible from a considerable distance as units from the Gadsden Fire Department arrived on scene.
According to emergency personnel, the 70-year-old homeowner managed to escape the burning home but required immediate medical assistance. She was treated on scene by first responders before being transported to a local hospital by AMED Ambulance Service. As of Thursday evening, she was listed in serious but stable condition.
Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control shortly after arrival; however, flames briefly flared back up while crews were still on site. Fire personnel made entry into the home and quickly knocked the fire back down.
Crews battled the blaze in hazardous conditions due to extreme heat, with a heat advisory issued by the National Weather Service in effect at the time of the incident.
Alabama Power arrived at the scene to cut electricity to the home as a safety precaution.
Officials on site said the cause of the fire was undetermined and remains under investigation.
WEIS Radio was present during the firefighting efforts and will provide updates as more information becomes available.