Fire Marshal Says Fatal Fire Started In Attic

LINCOLN — The fire death that occurred in Lincoln on Feb. 4 is the first one inside the city limits in at least 41 years, according to Fire Administrator Jay Norton.

Norton has been with the city 41 years and has dealt with only three fire deaths during that time. Two happened outside the city. The house that burned in the city limits last week was located behind another house at 111 N. Star Avenue, one block off Lincoln Square.

Dennis Ledbetter, Washington County fire marshal, on Monday identified the victim as Sally Ruth Mansell, 63, of Lincoln. He said the medical examiner’s report said the death was accidental and the cause of death was smoke and soot inhalation.

Mansell had one son and two daughters, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, according to her obituary from Luginbuel Funeral Home. Her funeral service will be 10 a.m., Saturday at Luginbuel Chapel in Prairie Grove.

“My heart goes out to the family. I wish I could have done more.” Tony Lee Lincoln Police Officer

Mansell’s daughter, Tammy Shedd of Lincoln, Monday said family members wanted to express appreciation to Lincoln, Prairie Grove and Farmington firefighters and the police department for all they did that night and for support from the community.

“Just the small-town love,” Shedd said.

Ledbetter said the investigation shows the fire was accidental and probably started in the attic due to electrical issues.

Norton said the house was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived about 9:20 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4. He said the victim was the only person in the house at the time and was on oxygen therapy. Norton said the fire probably was intensified by the cylinders.

Lincoln police officer Tony Lee was the first officer to arrive on the scene that night and was told someone was still in the home.

“I immediately tried to get in the front door,” Lee said, explaining his actions are what any first responder would do.

“Any officer would have done this,” Lee said. “Any first responder on the scene would have acted in the same manner. It just so happened it was me.”

Lee said he was not able to gain entry through the front door because of the heat and went around the house to the back door. He said he gained entry from the back but inside it was too hot and smoky to go into the house.

“My heart goes out to the family,” Lee said. “I wish I could have done more.”

Police Chief Russell Morphis commended Lee for his actions that night and also expressed his appreciation to all officers in the police department.

“I was proud of him,” Morphis said, adding, “I was proud of the whole department because pretty much everyone responded to it.”

Lee