One person died and two others were injured in a Panton, VT house fire early Monday morning. Investigators are trying to determine the source of the deadly fire that claimed the life of Muriel Neel, 63, and injured her husband Harold Neel, 68, and friend Susan Idle, 51.
The fire began just after 3 a.m. October 25 on an exterior deck at the rear of the home where a smoking area was located, investigators said. From there, the wind spread it quickly. The house was fully engulfed by the time fire crews arrived on scene.
Each year, smoking materials cause about 17,000 house or structure fires resulting in 1,640 injuries and 540 fatalities. Creating an outdoor smoking area is one way to reduce the risk of fire, according to the National Fire Protection Agency.
Vergennes Deputy fire Chief Matthew Fraley, who lives next door to the house, was on his way to work at 3:40 a.m. when he saw the blaze, he told local media. He helped to rescue Idle when she followed his voice to safety. She was taken to the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington with second- and third-degree burns. Harold Neel suffered minor burns and was not hospitalized.
Sources:
http://www.mynbc5.com/article/one-woman-killed-one-badly-burned-in-vermont-house-fire/7153011
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/2016/10/24/house-fire-leaved-one-dead-panton/92665442/