Early-morning house fire in Garland County kills woman Sunday.

Lawman pulls victim from house fire

A woman who was pulled from her burning home at 298 Pittman Road in Garland County early Sunday by a sheriff’s deputy was later declared dead at the scene, according to the sheriff’s office and fire officials.

The fire, which destroyed the home, drew a response from three fire departments and led to the roadway in western Garland County being blocked off for several hours Sunday morning.

Garland County sheriff’s Sgt. John Schroeder identified the victim as Brenda Andersen. Schroeder said Andersen was born in 1951, but the date of her birth was not available Sunday.

Garland County Deputy Charles DeLaHunt arrived at the scene just before firefighters’ arrival and was able to pull Andersen from the residence, but she was later pronounced dead at the scene by the Garland County coroner, according to officials.

Schroeder said DeLaHunt was not injured when he pulled Andersen from the burning home.

Firefighters were called to 298 Pittman Road in reference to a structure fire at 3:57 a.m. Sunday. When they arrived, flames were reportedly showing through the roof over three-quarters of the structure, 70 West Fire Chief Autumn Carlisle said.

“Firefighters arrived within six minutes to find the Garland County sheriff’s department on scene and a deputy had already located a victim just inside the residence and had removed them from the burning residence,” Carlisle said.

A total of 12 firefighters and three engines responded to the fire and were at the scene for about four hours.

In addition to the 70 West Fire Department, the Bonnerdale and Piney fire departments responded with a total of four personnel. LifeNet also responded.

“It is believed that the victim was the only resident in the home when the fire occurred. Next of kin has been notified. It is unknown if there were any working smoke detectors in the home because of the extent of the damage,” Carlisle said.

According to Carlisle, the fire is not believed to be suspicious but is still under investigation by the sheriff’s office because of the fatality.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the victim during this difficult time and the responders who attempted to rescue the victim and worked throughout the morning to bring the fire under control and extinguish it,” she said.