Blind 72-Year-Old Woman Escapes House Fire Unharmed
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DALLAS (CBS11) - An overnight fire in Oak Cliff was remarkable not for what it took but, for what it did not: 72-year-old Caroline Ware.
Ware was napping on the sofa when she says she heard a "popping" noise from the rear of the house.
"The house was really popping and blowing," says Ware, "I don't know what was going on." Initially, she says she started to go toward the sound to investigate. But something told her to go toward the front door. So she did.
Minutes later, the house was engulfed in smoke and flames. Dallas Fire Rescue investigators have initially ruled the fire as "accidental", having started in the laundry room of the house.
"I come to the porch," recalled Ware, in soft, wearied tones, "and I couldn't come off, and they come up and got me and brought me down here on the corner."
Sharon Deamon, Ware's adult daughter and caretaker, wiped away tears as she allowed her mind to wander to what had been a very close call.
"My mother is blessed," says Deamon, "she's blessed [that] she got out the house. I was at Walmart. I'm just glad she's alive… because she's blind."
A not-so-minor detail that makes Ware's escape made even more remarkable.
Christina Castillo lives next door and says her husband rushed to help.
"He came over here, running and got the lady out," says Castillo, "because from what I could see, she could barely walk."
Battling a number of chronic health issues, Ware's sight deteriorated over the past year until she lost her vision completely. Family members say on most days she was still disoriented and struggling with her suddenly dark surroundings. But, not when it mattered.
"I just thank God," says Exie Dale, Ware's sister. "Like I say, she's a fighter. If that'd been me, I would have been gone. But, she's a fighter."
Nevertheless, Ware is still coming to terms with having lost all that she had.
"I keep saying, 'mother, there's nothing left'," says Deamon.
The family managed to save just a few smoke-filled jackets, stashed in a closet.
"I'm happy I'm out," says Ware. "But, I'm so sad because I don't have nowhere to go…it hurts so bad."
A local agency that helps provide subsidized housing has already visited the family. A representative has assured them that staffers are already searching for suitable housing in the area and that as soon as they're up to visiting the office to sign paperwork, they will assist them with finding a new place to live.
An account has been established at Chase Bank: Caroline Ware Donations Acct.#3306010611 to assist the family with meeting immediate needs.
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