A late-night blaze in rural Milam County killed an 84-year-old woman and injured three other adults after a trailer home on the 130 block of County Road 242, between Cameron and Gause, caught fire early Tuesday, officials said. Deputies and volunteer firefighters were called out just before 1 a.m. and arrived to find the mobile home heavily involved in flames. Authorities say one person managed to escape while another was found trapped inside. The trailer was ultimately declared a total loss.
According to KXAN, the Milam County Sheriff’s Office said deputies discovered two people still inside the burning home when they got to the scene. The sheriff’s office has not released the victim’s name and said the Milam County Fire Marshal is investigating what sparked the fire.
Victims and hospital transfers
Authorities said Allegiance EMS took three adults to area hospitals following the fire. A 66-year-old man suffered critical, life-threatening injuries and was transferred to a medical center in Austin. A 32-year-old man with serious but non-life-threatening injuries was also moved to an Austin hospital, while a 60-year-old woman was treated for minor injuries and released, according to KBTX.
Responders on scene
The Cameron Volunteer Fire Department and Milano Volunteer Fire Department responded along with Milam County sheriff’s deputies, Allegiance EMS, the Milam County Fire Marshal, and the Precinct 2 justice of the peace, KXXV reported. Officials said the home was already fully engulfed when deputies arrived. An official ruling on the cause will come after the fire marshal completes the investigation.
Higher risk for older residents in home fires
Older adults face a higher risk of dying in residential fires, in part because limited mobility and sensory impairments can slow an escape, and many deadly fires break out overnight. The U.S. Fire Administration notes that older Americans make up a disproportionate share of home fire deaths and stresses the importance of working smoke alarms and escape plans tailored for seniors, including those living in manufactured or mobile homes in rural areas.
The Milam County Sheriff’s Office has not released the names of anyone involved and is asking anyone with information about the fire to contact county authorities. The investigation remains active, and officials are expected to release more details as they become available.
