HURRICANE CITY, UTAH – November 10, 2015 (Gephardt Daily) – A bedridden woman who died Monday morning in an apartment fire has been identified as 57-year-old Barbara J. Smiley.
According to Hurricane City Police Sgt. Brandon Buell, firefighters were called to an apartment near 165 North 200 West at 2:14 a.m., after a resident called 911 saying they could hear a fire alarm going off, and “banging and screaming” from another unit.
Buell said when officers responded, the entire residence was filled with smoke and flames.
Officers forced their way in through the back door and were able to help a 40-year-old man to safety. He was taken to the hospital in stable condition.
Due to the intensity of the flames, crews were not able to reach the other resident, identified as Barbara J. Smiley, 57, and her dog. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
According to Sgt. Buell, the woman had been dealing with health problems and was bedridden. Investigators found Smiley was a smoker and on oxygen and have concluded she had fallen asleep while smoking.
The apartment was deemed a total loss and damages are estimated at $75,000.
