
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, May 7, 1993                   TAG: 9305070325
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NORFOLK                                LENGTH: Medium

ARSON SURVIVOR SAYS BOYFRIEND IS HERO

A woman who survived a raging apartment complex fire that was caused by arson said she and her boyfriend were trapped in a "triangle of flames."

"I knew I was going to die," Patricia Hedrick said in an interview Wednesday. "I just felt I would die. Then, I just went to sleep or passed out."

The next thing she remembered was waking up in the hospital.

Hedrick, 20, and Harry L. Duke, 22, were pulled from their collapsed building by firefighters who had to battle strong winds to control the April 27 blaze at the Pretty Lake Village complex.

No one died in the predawn fire, but 75 people were left homeless.

Hedrick and Duke were the only two people injured. They are recovering at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. Duke suffered the most serious injuries, with second- and third-degree burns on more than half his body.

Hedrick credited Duke with using his body to shield her from the flames when they became trapped in the collapsing structure. "He saved my life," she said. "He's a real hero."

Arson investigators have released littleinformation other than to say someone poured a flammable liquid in a second-floor stairwell breezeway and lit it. Gale-force winds whipped the flames into an inferno.

Law enforcement officials said the investigation has turned up two suspects. Their names were not released, and neither has been charged.

Hedrick is scheduled to undergo surgery today to remove the badly burned toes on her left foot. If the operation goes well, she could be released in less than two weeks.

"I feel lucky that I am alive," she said.

by CNB