Community Corner
Woman Rescued From House Fire Fighting For Her Life
The Dec. 16 fire destroyed the home on Cardinal Drive in Woodstock.
WOODSTOCK, GA -- The woman who was pulled from a devastating house fire just a week before Christmas is still fighting for her life at an Atlanta hospital.
The community is also coming to the aid of Melinda Crabtree, who suffered serious injuries in the Dec. 16 blaze.
A GoFundMe account created for Crabtree has raised $4,080, money which will be used to offset any medical bills her insurance company won't cover as well as any personal property replacement.
Find out what's happening in Woodstock-Towne Lakefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Organizers for the account created by Crabtree's employers, Southeast Frozen Foods, are hoping to raise at least $5,000.
Woodstock and Cherokee County crews responded to a call of a residential fire just before 1 a.m. Friday, Dec. 16 on Cardinal Drive.
Find out what's happening in Woodstock-Towne Lakefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Officers with the Woodstock Police Department were the first to arrive on the scene and helped a male resident escape the blaze.
They learned an adult woman was still trapped inside a rear bedroom, and she was also rescued from the fire. Three others were inside the home at the time of the fire, and two of those citizens were transported to an area hospital for treatment.
Shirley McMahon, a family friend and co-worker, said Crabtree is in serious condition at Grady Memorial Hospital. She remains in an induced coma in the hospital's ICU and is likely to be kept in that state for a while, she added.
She underwent her fourth surgery on Wednesday, and doctors confirmed that half of the burns on her body are at least third-degree.
"Very, very long, hard road ahead (for) this amazing woman," she said.
Additionally, one of the four dogs rescued from the fire didn't survive the ordeal, McMahon added.
Woodstock Fire Chief Dave Soumas said the fire started around the bathroom exhaust fan.
"We cannot rule out electrical/mechanical failure of the bathroom fan or the buildup of lint and dust resulting in overheating of the motor and subsequent ignition without further testing," he added.
Anyone who wishes to donate to help Crabtree can do so by clicking here.
Image via GoFundMe
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
