A fire early Tuesday morning claimed the life of a Lawrence County woman, two of her children and the children's grandfather. Two other children were rescued by their grandfather, who died when he went back into the burning mobile home to attempt to save the two children who died.
"It appears a wood burning stove was the source of the fire," said Acting State Fire Marshal Richard Montgomery. "This was a tragic event."
The deceased are Priscilla Norris, 24, Leslie Norris, 7, Stephanie Norris, 5 and Eugene Douglas, 60. Priscilla Norris' husband works in another town and was not home at the time of the fire. The two surviving children had minor smoke inhalation and cuts and bruises.
A fire occurred on January 27, 2004 at 12:45AM at Woodall Subdivision, 40 Co. Rd. 553 in the Oakville Community of Lawrence County. This was a mobile home owned by Anthony and Priscilla Norris. Mr. Norris works out of town and Priscilla and her children were at the home. Fatalities are : Priscilla Norris W/F, age 24, Stephanie Norris W/F age 5, Leslie Norris W/F, age 7, and Eugene Douglas W/M, age 60. Two other children Austin and Andrea Norris escaped with minor smoke inhalation and cuts and bruises, were treated and released at Lawrence Baptist Medical Center, Moulton, Al. Eugene Douglas who resided at 24 Co. Rd. 553, Woodall Subdivision was the grandfather of the children. When the fire was discovered Mr. Douglas went to the residence and got the 2 surviving children out a window and went back to assist Mrs. Norris and the other children. Mr. Douglas was unable to get back out of the home. The fire most probably originated at a wood burning heater in the mobile. The investigation is continuing.