The Social Network & Community JUST for Firefighters
EMS Call Turns Into Hoarding Rescue of Georgia Woman
DUFFIE DIXON
11Alive
Reprinted with Permission
SANDY SPRINGS, GA - A woman is in the hospital after being rescued from her own home, which firefighers say was filled chest high with trash.
Tuesday morning firefighters responded to a medical call on the 4700 block of Kitty Hawk Drive in Sandy Springs. It took them nearly an hour to locate the homeowner, a woman in her thirites, and transport her to the hospital.
Because of medical confidentiality rules, the condition of the woman is not known, but firefighters initially described her as "incapacitated."
Chief Ronnie Thomas with Sandy Springs Fire and Rescue said that crews treated the call as a possible hazardous materials situation based upon what they found when they opened the front door.
"Trash was stacked up against the front door and when they opened it, all sorts of things came tumbling out," Thomas said.
Firefighters retreated and donned hazmat suits and put on air tanks. It took them 15 minutes to locate the homeowner and another 40 minutes to bring her out.
The home has since been condemned until it can be cleaned up.
Neighbors admit to seeing an array of food delivery trucks frequent the home and watched trash pile up outside the home for over a year.
Kathryn Humphrey lives a few houses down and said she now feels guilty that she didn't take more interest in checking on the welfare of the homeowner.
"I think we should all feel a little ashamed if we live in this neighborhood," Humphrey said. "I noticed the house and the trash and the filty cars. I assumed it was an elderly couple that lived there and that someone was helping them out. I should have knocked on the door. I could have helped her out."
11Alive
Reprinted with Permission
SANDY SPRINGS, GA - A woman is in the hospital after being rescued from her own home, which firefighers say was filled chest high with trash.
Tuesday morning firefighters responded to a medical call on the 4700 block of Kitty Hawk Drive in Sandy Springs. It took them nearly an hour to locate the homeowner, a woman in her thirites, and transport her to the hospital.
Because of medical confidentiality rules, the condition of the woman is not known, but firefighters initially described her as "incapacitated."
Chief Ronnie Thomas with Sandy Springs Fire and Rescue said that crews treated the call as a possible hazardous materials situation based upon what they found when they opened the front door.
"Trash was stacked up against the front door and when they opened it, all sorts of things came tumbling out," Thomas said.
Firefighters retreated and donned hazmat suits and put on air tanks. It took them 15 minutes to locate the homeowner and another 40 minutes to bring her out.
The home has since been condemned until it can be cleaned up.
Neighbors admit to seeing an array of food delivery trucks frequent the home and watched trash pile up outside the home for over a year.
Kathryn Humphrey lives a few houses down and said she now feels guilty that she didn't take more interest in checking on the welfare of the homeowner.
"I think we should all feel a little ashamed if we live in this neighborhood," Humphrey said. "I noticed the house and the trash and the filty cars. I assumed it was an elderly couple that lived there and that someone was helping them out. I should have knocked on the door. I could have helped her out."
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Kathy Williams on
-
One of the times I got strep throat I was so ill I couldn't leave the house. Before I lost my voice completely, I made a few phone calls to Community Assistance people and social workers and they all said it wasn't their job to bring me food. So I went for five days with no food and only tea and water to drink. It was frightening and awful. I wish I had a neighbour like Kathryn Humphrey. People don't realize what it is like to be all alone and have no one to help, it is very frightening and upsetting.
-
Permalink Reply by Norm Tindell on
-
Made a call to a house once in which every room was filled waist high with mostly magazines and newspapers. There were narrow trails from room to room. Hoarding isn't all that uncommon. I suppose it's mental disorder that gets progressively worse.
© 2024 Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.
Powered by
