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December 20, 2009

Neighbors rescue man from burning home

Man was just feet from escape before collapsing

By Brandi Watters, Herald Bulletin Staff Writer

CHESTERFIELD — Thomas Bowlin was only a few feet from safety when he collapsed in his garage Saturday morning.

With a fire spreading throughout the back bedroom of his house, Bowlin escaped into the garage and collapsed.

Minutes before his home was consumed by a raging fire as he lay unconscious on the floor, Bowlin was pulled to safety by two of his neighbors.

When firefighters arrived at 519 Hampton Lane just after 4 a.m. Saturday, they rushed Bowlin to Saint John’s Medical Center before he was airlifted to Methodist Hospital in critical condition.

Bowlin was listed in stable condition on Sunday, a Methodist Hospital representative said.

His neighbors, Mike Frazee and Danny Dickinson, were credited with saving Bowlin’s life.

Chesterfield Fire Chief Todd Huffer said Bowlin was the only one home at the time.

After spotting the flames and finding Bowlin’s front door locked, Frazee said he and Dickinson rushed into the garage and found Bowlin lying on the floor, unconscious.

“We found him laying in the back of the garage, slumped over,” Frazee recounted Sunday.

Frazee said he and Dickinson immediately recognized that Bowlin had unsuccessfully tried to escape the rapidly spreading blaze. “He was trying to get out of the back door of the garage.”

“We had to drag him out,” Frazee said.

Although he was breathing on his own, Frazee said Bowlin was unconscious and later learned that he’d been suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Methodist did not confirm the extent of Bowlin’s injuries Sunday.

Minutes after Bowlin was rescued from his home, the fire engulfed the structure completely.

Although he and Dickinson saved Bowlin’s life, Frazee said he doesn’t feel like a hero.

“No, I would do it for anybody. I figure somebody might do it for me, if I was in trouble.”

Dickinson could not be reached for comment.

Huffer said the men put themselves in danger in pursuit of rescuing Bowlin.

“It certainly is dangerous because you always run the risk of creating more injuries being caused by it. You could get in there and be overcome by smoke just as well as the person you’re trying to help.”

Huffer said the fire remained under investigation, but arson was not suspected.

Contact Brandi Watters: 640-4847, brandi.watters@heraldbulletin.com





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