Yesterday, a call about a fire alarm in an East Dallas apartment turned into a grim discovery when firefighters forced their way inside and found a woman dead on a burned mattress, authorities said.
Dallas Fire-Rescue crews entered the first-floor unit on Highland Road, pulled the woman out, and attempted to save her, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials have not yet released her name.
According to CBS News Texas, firefighters responded to an alarm in the 2300 block of Highland Road around 6:40 p.m. and got no answer at the door. Crews forced entry and found the woman on what was left of a burned mattress, pulled her from the unit, and knocked down the remaining fire. Firefighters declared “out taps” at 7:26 p.m. The cause of the blaze is still under investigation, pending findings from the Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office.
Mattress Fires Are Often More Dangerous Than They Appear
Research from the National Fire Protection Association shows that while mattresses and bedding account for only a small slice of reported home-structure fires, they are involved in a surprisingly large share of deaths. According to NFPA research, mattresses or bedding were the first item ignited in roughly 2% of reported home fires, but were involved in about 12% of residential fire fatalities, a stark reminder of how quickly bedding fires can turn deadly.
Investigation Underway
Authorities have not said whether they suspect foul play. They are asking anyone with information to contact investigators while the medical examiner and fire investigators work to determine what happened. CBS News Texas reports it will share updates as officials release more details.
Fire-Safety Reminders
Fire-safety experts continue to stress that working smoke alarms and a practiced escape plan remain the best life-saving tools in a home fire. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and U.S. Fire Administration recommend installing smoke alarms on every level of a home, including inside bedrooms, and testing them monthly. Following those guidelines can cut the risk of death in a home fire by roughly half, according to guidance from the CPSC/USFA.
Anyone with information about the Highland Road fire is urged to contact Dallas police or Dallas Fire-Rescue. We will update this report as authorities release additional information.
