Early Morning Fire
Destroys Vines Street Home

This Vines Street home was destroyed by fire around 4 a.m. Friday morning
Photos special to Arab Today

September 19, 2008
An early morning fire destroyed a double wide mobile home at 629 Vines St SE Friday morning. According to Arab Fire Department officials the fire started when a resident in the home fell asleep while smoking in bed.

The home, owned by Toxie Kennedy, was being rented by Mandy Preston. There were seven people in the house at the time of the fire. One person, Carol Preston, was transported to Marshall Medical Center North due to smoke inhalation. She was treated and released. Two dogs died from smoke inhalation.

Craig Cason, who was staying in the home, told firefighters that he got up around 3:30 a.m. to check on his mother who has cancer. While up he lit a cigarette and then went back to bed. He awoke a short time later when the fire began to burn his feet. Cason attempted to pull the mattress from the home but it became stuck in the door of the home.

Nine Arab Firefighters, three fire engines and one EMS unit responded to the blaze along with Arab Police personnel who provided traffic control.