Authorities have named the woman who died Wednesday (Feb. 2) following a house fire in the 4600 block of West Rock Creek Road in High Ridge. The victim was Paula Martin, 69, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Grant Bissell said.
He said a faulty extension cord caused the fire.
Capt. John Barton of the High Ridge Fire Protection District said the homeowner called 911 after returning to find his house filled with smoke, and he told dispatchers his mother was still inside the ranch-style home, which had a walkout basement. Crews were dispatched to the home at 12:03 p.m., arrived at 12:13 p.m. and started searching for the woman at 12:18 p.m.
He said the woman was found by 12:21 p.m., and crews used a stokes baskets and a ladder to move her over an 8-foot retaining wall that divided the front yard and backyard. The woman received CPR at the scene and was transported by North Jefferson County Ambulance to SSM Health St. Clare Hospital in Fenton in critical condition and later was pronounced dead by medical personnel.
Barton said it looked like there was hoarding in the house, which made it difficult to make sure the fire was out, but the fire was under control by 1:36 p.m. Crews remained on the scene until 2:25 p.m.
Barton said the Antonia, Goldman, Saline Valley, Rock Community, Eureka and Fenton fire protection districts helped with the call, and the Rock Township Ambulance District also responded to the scene.