Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, January 9, 1994 TAG: 9401090097
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: D3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Todd Jackson
DATELINE: BASSETT LENGTH: Short
Firefighters found the bodies of Samuel David Helms, 59, and his mother, 81-year-old Viola Smith Helms, inside their home while bringing the blaze under control just after 6 a.m., said Henry County Fire Marshal Steve Eanes.
The fire - which engulfed the house - was accidental, Eanes said. It started in the living room when an electrical cord overheated, he said.
The victims were found in their bedrooms. Eanes said fire officials believe both died from smoke inhalation, but the bodies were taken to the Medical Examiner's Office in Roanoke to determine the cause of death.
Saturday's deaths bring to six the number of fire-related fatalities in Henry County in 1994.
Ridgeway resident Lynne Dalton, 38, and her three children - Crystal Dawn Gammons, 15, Grady William Gammons, 16, and Stefanie Cecile Gammons, 12 - were found inside their burning home on October Way in the early hours of New Year's Day.
The Jan. 1 blaze was also accidental - a baseboard heater caused a wall stud to catch fire, Eanes said.
Keywords:
FATALITY
by CNB