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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 12, 1994                   TAG: 9401120188
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: KATHY LOAN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

2-YEAR-OLD GIRL DIES IN HOUSE FIRE

Amber Nichols was being cared for by her 17-year-old cousin when the fire broke out.

Cindy Miller told authorities the fire began shortly before 11 a.m. when she tried to restart a wood stove fire by pouring some gasoline on it.

When the fire got out of control, she was unsuccessful in putting it out with water and was unable to reach the child, who was asleep in a crib.

The baby sitter ran to a nearby home to call for help. She sustained minor physical injuries and was emotionally shaken, Fire Chief Jimmy Epperly said.

Firefighters arrived to find thick smoke and flames billowing mostly from the front of the home. They also had to contend with a downed power line that shot sparks off in such rapid succession it sounded like firecrackers.

Amber Nichols was retrieved through a window by fire and rescue workers but was dead on arrival at Montgomery Regional Hospital.

She was the daughter of Ann Nichols and David Ratcliff.

It was the seventh fire-related fatality in the region in the new year. In Henry County, six people have died because of heating-related fires: A Jan. 1 fire was caused by a baseboard heater; a Jan. 8 fire was attributed to an electrical cord overheating in living room of small house.

Teresa Bailey, Ratcliff's sister, said Ann Nichols was at class at New River Community College and Ratcliff was working when the fire broke out.

Richardson-Horne Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Bailey said the couple would be staying with her for now.

It was the second time Ratcliff and Nichols have been burned out of a home. Bailey said a chimney fire burned the house they lived in at the Plum Creek community in December 1992.

Miller was at the hospital Tuesday evening and was receiving counseling, Bailey said.

Chief Epperly said the fire was a tragic reminder of the need to be careful when lighting wood stoves or fireplaces. Flammable substances should never be used, he said.

Alan Gillis, a Christiansburg lawyer who recently had refurbished the home at 507 Lester St., watched as firefighters worked on the house. He said his son now owns the home, which was extensively damaged.

Firefighters were called back to the house about 2 p.m. when the fire reignited.

Keywords:
FATALITY