Elderly woman dies in house fire

A 65-year-old Russellville woman died Monday evening at UAB Hospital from injuries she sustained after a fire broke out in her mobile home Saturday evening.

Russellville Fire Department Capt. Steve Thornton said Jimmie Mae Whitson, suffered second- and third-degree burns over 55 percent of her body.

According to Thornton, the Russellville Fire Department responded to the fire call at Freddie Mills Trailer Park off U.S. 43 about 4:50 p.m. Saturday after a bystander saw smoke coming from the open door of the trailer. Thornton said the bystander pulled Whitson from her home after extinguishing the flames with a dishtowel.

Whitson was transferred to Russellville Hospital after being and flown to the burn unit at UAB Hospital where she remained in critical condition until her death Monday about 8 p.m.

Thornton said the fire was contained to the living room area, but they are unsure of what started the fire at this time.

Since there was a fatality, the State Fire Marshal’s Office was notified, Thornton said.

The fire remains under investigation by the Russellville Fire Department and the State Fire Marshal’s Office.