THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, July 13, 1996 TAG: 9607130196
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ANNE SAITA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: 33 lines
A mother and her daughter were killed and the mother's husband was seriously burned in a house fire early Friday just outside the city limits.
Gladys Gallop, 62, and Brenda Wildy, 30, died after a fire broke out in the living room of their one-story wooden bungalow in the Spaulding Park subdivision.
James Gallop, 67, was listed in serious but stable condition Friday afternoon at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital's Burn Trauma Unit.
He suffered burns on 12 percent of his body, a hospital spokeswoman said Friday.
Pasquotank County Sheriff Randy Cartwright said the fire was ruled accidental and believed to have been caused by an overloaded extension cord.
The fire was reported about 2 a.m. Friday when Gladys Gallop ran from her home to a neighbor's house and called emergency services.
She then went back into the burning house to rescue her daughter. Several people said her daughter was mentally disabled.
Neither woman came out. Both were believed to have died of smoke inhalation. Autopsies are being done.
The investigation was conducted by the sheriff's department, with assistance from the Elizabeth City Fire Department investigator and the State Bureau of Investigation.
The couple, who lived at 112 Hines Ave., was believed to be retired. James Gallop was sometimes seen walking through the quiet neighborhood, hunting rabbit and other small game.
KEYWORDS: INJURIES FIRE FATALITY by CNB