Another reason why smoking is dangerous

Woman sets head on fire trying to light cig

02/16/2007
Staff Report

LAWRENCE--A township woman was in critical condition at a Philadelphia hospital after accidentally setting herself on fire while lighting a cigarette over a stove.

Slackwood Fire Company Chief Mike Oakley said a water sprinkler activated directly over her head, saving her life.

The victim, Julia Edwards, 47, was in critical but stable condition yesterday at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, recovering from second- and third-degree burns, reported Lt. Thomas Ritter, township police spokesman.

The fire occurred in her apartment at Project Freedom at Lawrence, 1841 Princeton Ave.

"We're getting reports that she was lighting a cigarette over top of the stove, and the flames from the stove communicated to her hair and some clothing," said Chief Oakley.

"Fortunate for her, she was standing underneath a sprinkler head, and the heat from when she ignited touched off the sprinkler head, and it was right over top of her," he said.

"And the water just got right on her, the water from the sprinkler head communicated to her.

"She had second- and third-degree burns, and she was taken to [Capital Health Systems at] Helene Fuld," he said.

"However, they Medivaced her down to Temple, in the burn unit."

Chief Oakley was relieved to be giving out good news, however.

"They say sprinklers save lives. It was fortunate she was standing in the right place. We're just hoping everything goes good, and everything turns out fine."

He said the fire is being ruled accidental, due to carelessness. There was no fire damage to the apartment, just minor smoke and water damage.

The case is under investigation by Police Officer Shawn Sudol and Detective James Vardanega.

Project Freedom caters to disabled HUD adults aged 25-to-50 who require a barrier-free environment and have good backgrounds and tenancy.

The development has 54 barrier-free one-story apartments, 44 with one bedroom and 10 with two bedrooms.