Burn victims recuperating in Cincinnati
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, January 6, 2004
CINCINNATI - An Aid Township woman burned in a house fire Friday remains in stable condition in the burn unit of University of Cincinnati Hospital.
One of her three children also remains hospitalized in Cincinnati. Two other children who were also injured in the fire have been released from a local hospital. Meanwhile, neighbors are pitching in to help the family.
Melissa Malone and her four year old son, James, were first taken to Cabell-Huntington Hospital in Huntington, W.Va., but were then transferred to the Cincinnati facilities. Five-month old Nicholas Sparks and two-year-old Brianna Sparks were released Sunday from Cabell-Huntington Hospital, according to hospital spokeswoman Cathy Cosco.
The children's great grandmother, Deloris Reynolds, said two local churches, Woodland Chapel and Union Baptist Church, have taken up love offerings for the family. Others in the community are also coming forward with donations.
"The neighbors and family members have been awfully good to donate," Reynolds said. Aid Township Assistant Fire Chief Ron Justice said some of the firefighters also took up donations for the family.
Those who want to donate to the family may contact Reynolds at 532-5530 or Lorna Pennington at 532-1069.
Fire broke out at the Ellisonville-Paddle Creek Road home at approximately 4 a.m. Friday. Firefighters from two departments battled the blaze. The State Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the fire, which is thought to have started in the living room.
At the time of the fire, Aid Township Fire Chief Joe Justice praised the efforts of two neighbors, Mark and James Dixon, who pulled all four family members to safety.
The house is considered a total loss.