Welcome to morganton.com. Skip directly to: our Keyword Search, Section Navigation, Content.

Morganton.com - Morganton - The News Herald

HomeNewsEntertainmentSportsLifestylesOpinionCommunityWeather Online Tools Jobs | Real Estate | Shopping | Classified

Teen runs into burning home to save dog

By Sharon McBrayer | The News Herald

Published: January 12, 2009

Morganton - The American Red Cross in Burke County is taking donations for family members burned out of their home Friday night.
Burke County Deputy Fire Marshal Mike Long said the fire at a double-wide mobile home at 5218 New Haven Circle, Morganton, is still under investigation but the home was a total loss. The owners of the property are Robert and Barbara Truax, Long said.
The couple rented the home to Brandy Bradley, her four children and her fiance, Bryan Cox, said Sherry Scull, acting director of the Red Cross in Morganton.
Cox said fire investigators have told him the blaze started either in an electrical outlet by the front door or a lamp that was plugged into the outlet.
Bradley's son, Christopher, 16, was home alone, according to Red Cross officials, when the fire broke out. He called his mother and Cox in a panic to tell them the house was on fire, said Scull.
Bradley asked her son about the family's miniature doberman. Christopher ran back into the home to get the dog, Cox said. Christopher suffered smoke inhalation and was trans-ported to Grace Hospital, where he was later released. Cox said Christopher is fine.
The dog and Christopher survived the fire but the family salvaged little else.
Cox said they recovered some photos. The couple had recently changed insurance com-panies and hadn't yet taken out renter's insurance, he said.
Scull said there was no insurance on the property.
The Red Cross stepped in to help the family, replacing medications, food for a week and three days of housing. The organization also has given each family member $130 for clothes, Scull said.
The Red Cross in Burke County also is accepting monetary donations for the family.
Scull said donations can be dropped off at the office in Burke Mission Station in Morgan-ton or mailed to 305 A W. Union St., Morganton, N.C. 28655.
In the meantime, the family will stay with relatives for the next several days and then look for a new home, Cox said. The couple was planning to get married next month but that will have to be delayed, Cox said.