Victim Of Deadly Fire Identified
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Victim Of Deadly Fire Identified
Authorities have identified the victim of a deadly late-night fire.
Reporter: Paul Gately
Email Address: paul.gately@kwtx.com
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(October 31, 2008)—Authorities Friday identified the victim of a deadly late-night fire in Gatesville as Melita Alma Wood, 87.

Fire and Emergency Medical Service units were dispatched to 1607 West Main Street at 10:13 p.m. after a passerby called in a report of flames coming from the residence.

Firefighters found Wood’s body in a bedroom after making entry to the house.

Gatesville fire chief Billy Vaden told News 10 the fire was primarily contained to the bedroom and utility room on the west end of the one story brick home and likely had been burning for up to an hour before it was noticed.

Vaden said the exact origin of the fire could not be determined Thursday night but heavy damage was visible in the bedroom.

Wood was known to be a heavy smoker, Vaden said.

She was alone in the residence.

Justice of the Peace Larry McDonald, of Gatesville, was called to the scene at 11:36 p.m.

He ordered an autopsy.

U.S. Highway 84 was closed to traffic until after midnight because of the fire, which was the second in Gatesville within a week.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Mary Location: Valley Mills on Oct 31, 2008 at 06:29 AM

My husband was passing by there last night & was stopped with the traffic and he had seen this. It was horrible.... May God Bless this woman's family.... this is so sad.
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