An early morning fire Sunday September 15th resulted in death to one Bridgeport resident and injury to two men who attempted to save his life.
Richard Sean Dutton, age 27, of 903 Chisom Avenue, Bridgeport, was pronounced dead on arrival at Grandview Hospital in Jasper, Tennessee after being rescued from a burning mobile home. One Bridgeport firefighter and one Bridgeport police officer were treated for smoke inhalation and released, after they removed Mr. Dutton from the burning home.
Three other people, asleep in the home when the fire began, Tommy Bruce McMillin and his children – five year old John and three year old Emily - were able to escape the fire without injury.
According to Mr. McMillin, he was awakened by Mr. Dutton coughing, and when he opened his bedroom door smoke came into the room. Mr. McMillin was able to get his two children out through a window and called for Mr. Dutton to get out. Mr. McMillin notified the police department Mr. Dutton was still in the home when they arrived at the scene.
An investigator with the Alabama State Fire Marshals Office determined the fire resulted when a pan was left unattended on a gas stove eye that had been left on. One battery powered smoke detector was present in the home at the time of the fire.