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Apartment fire victim badly burned

Monday, September 1, 2008 10:29 AM PDT

By Leslie Slape

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A Longview woman was listed in critical condition Sunday at Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland with third-degree burns over 70 percent to 80 percent of her body.

Tara Starr, 45, was burned when her second-floor apartment caught fire early Saturday morning, according to Longview police.

Two firefighters carried the unconscious woman from her apartment and administered first aid to her outside on the lawn before she was flown by helicopter to the Portland hospital, police said.

Longview fire officials determined the fire was caused by a smoldering cigarette in an upholstered chair.

According to a fire department news release, the fire at the Mountain View Apartments, 2185 38th Ave., was reported at 5:01 a.m. by a Daily News carrier. Firefighters arrived within five minutes and, with the help of police, evacuated all the residents, including a disabled occupant of the apartment directly below the burning one.

Even though the apartment had a working smoke detector, investigators believe she may have tried to fight the fire before she succumbed to the smoke.

Damage estimates are $20,000 to the building and $5,000 to the contents.

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missymae wrote on Sep 1, 2008 12:26 AM:

" This Is why landlords DO NOT want to rent to smokers and I don't blame them.If I was renting to people I would'nt rent to smokers either or to people that have animals or I would make them show proof of renters Insurance so maybe the damage could be paid for under there Renters Insurance to many homes are destroyed and so are peoples lives. I'm a smoker but I will not smoke In my house I sit outside and I use a metal coffee can to put my cigarettes In If your going to smoke then be responsible. "

CONCERENED wrote on Sep 1, 2008 10:45 AM:

" WHOA!WHOA!WHOA! LETS NOT STAR BASHING THOSE WHO SMOKE, I COULD RANT ALL DAY ABOUT PEOPLE THAT DRINK!!! THATS WHAT INSURANCE IS FOR, RENTERS OR LANDLORDS, COME ON NOW.AND THE LANDLORD SHOULD HAVE INSURANCE TO COVER THE BUILDING AND CONTENTS WEATHER THE RENTER DOES OR DOESNT!!!
CANT WE ALL JUST GET ALONG??? "

Rosey Glasses wrote on Sep 1, 2008 11:03 AM:

" Agree missymae! Responsible smokers only, and we smoke outside of my home (that I own). My kids living with me quit smoking this last few months. Also by not smoking in the house, it smells nicer... now to rid our home of the litter box! LOL "

tally ho wrote on Sep 1, 2008 11:31 AM:

" It's amazing that the former comments were all about smokers, but not one added their thoughts and prayers for the injured lady. I know the owner of that apartment bldg. and I believe he would be more concerned over her, than the fact she was a smoker. I only hope and pray she does not suffer long. "

Diesel wrote on Sep 1, 2008 1:51 PM:

" rosey how nice to see that you are so prim and proper about your smoking. However you also have blinders on if you think that your home doesn't smell of smoke. It is in your clothes and on your skin and lingers. I smoked for 40 plus years and after my wife and I quit it was over a year before the house didn't stink of smoke. Because you smoke your sense of smell is distorted and you aren't quite the saint you wish to be.
And before you get on your high horse you might think about the pain that this poor woman is going through and pray for her speedy recovery. "

Atrucker wrote on Sep 1, 2008 1:57 PM:

" Another case of a smoke alarm failure .
If there was one in the APT. Which any good land lord would provide for their own piece of mind . But there are lots of bad smoke alarms out there . Most of them you will be dead before it goes off. I bought one for $500.00 spendy yes , but this thing checks the area every 7 seconds for any thing smoke or heat related . My frying pan sets the darn thing off , annoying yes , but it will save my butt if and when needed .
You can not put a price tag on life and safety around a fire , or the life long pain and scars this woman will endure . So I bought the best that is out there Called master Guard . "

DUH wrote on Sep 1, 2008 2:56 PM:

" Yes, any good landlord would provide a smoke detector. I do believe that it is required by law for landlords to install smoke detectors in all rental dwellings. "

Atrucker wrote on Sep 1, 2008 4:31 PM:

" Well DUH, I would hope you are right , but I do not think it is the case in this state . My daughter has rented several places with either no , or unworkable detectors. Even if it was a law they do not follow it word for word . Besides like I said most of the detectors on the market will kill you any way , almost 80% , pretty spooky uh ? And the sad truth is they will not tell you any thing but will sell you their product. Mine will get me out of here before the fire even starts . Most fires you have 2 min. or less to get out . "

CONCERENED wrote on Sep 1, 2008 4:57 PM:

" RE ATRUCKER/DUH RE READ THE STORY, THERE WAS WORKING SMOKE DETECTORS, AND SHE WAS AFTER THE FIRE BEFORE SHE BECAME OVERCOME FROM THE SMOKE. GOD BE WITH THIS WOMAN, AND BEST WISHS FOR A SPEEDY RECOVERY, BUT ON A PERSONAL NOTE, I HAVE A BROTHER THAT WAS BURNED YEASR AGO 80% AND ITS A LONG PAINFULL RECOVERY!!! BEST WISHES!! "

mom of four wrote on Sep 1, 2008 10:57 PM:

" Are famiy is praying for you, get well soon. "

Atrucker wrote on Sep 1, 2008 11:36 PM:

" RE CONCERENED LIKE I SAID CASE IN POINT MOST SMOKE DETECTORS WILL KILL YOU, WOKING OR NOT , FEW OF THEM GIVE YOU ENOUGH TIME TO GET OUT . THIS PERSON TRIED TO FIGHT A BIG FIRE WITH BAD EQUIPMENT , GOT BURNED AND ALMOST DIED IN DOING SO .AND YES I KNOW ABOUT RECOVERY AND WHAT SHE WILL FACE , MY PRAYERS AND GOD BE WITH YOU. I HAVE FOUGHT FIRE ALSO AND LOST PEOPLE TO THEM . I STILL HAVE BAD DREAMS ABOUT ONE FIRE . "

DUH wrote on Sep 2, 2008 8:34 AM:

" Atrucker... I know as well as you do that those cheap smoke detectors sometimes don't do an adequate job. Washington State law Does require that the landlord have working smoke detectors in place in dwellings at the time a tenant moves in. It is then the responsibility of the tenant to keep it clean, test it's operation, and replace its batteries. I too have had family members burned in a home fire. It is by far the most painful thing to recover from and the lengthiest recovery period. My family and I wish her well and will keep her in our prayers. "

skibum wrote on Sep 2, 2008 12:39 PM:

" Is this the same Tara Starr that graduated from MM in 1981? "

Rosey Glasses wrote on Sep 2, 2008 1:34 PM:

" I feel for all people burned in a fire. I may not note it at the time, due to commenting on other posts, however one does not need to yell (caps). I have quit smoking twice in my life; I am weak in that area. So before you pass judgment on me.... look to your own back yard. I have watched and read about more fires due to smoking IN the home than from kitchen fires. It is an issue and one that people need to take into consideration when they smoke! "

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