Obese teen too heavy to lift, dies from house fire

[cowcommander]

An obese teenager has died in the US after her family home caught fire and firefighters were unable to carry her to safety.

Jamaya Herron, who weighed just over 220kg, collapsed inside her Chicago home after being overcome with smoke inhalation, the Daily Mail reports.

Emergency workers responding to the fire were able to rescue two other children but were unable to carry Ms Herron, 18, from the house in time.

Ms Herron was pronounced dead by the time the firefighters managed to lift her outside the property.

An autopsy later revealed she had died from suffocation.

"They gave 110 percent, did their best and sometimes we're not able to save everyone but we were able to get two individuals out of that structure alive," the Daily Mail quoted fire chief Derek Bergsten as saying.

Two of the firefighters were treated in hospital for back injuries they sustained trying to rescue Ms Heron.

It is believed the blaze started when a candle was tipped over.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/7963495/obese-teen-too-heavy-to-lift-from-house-fire

[LostinVA]

1. Such a terrible shame n/t

[KittyWampus]

2. Sad loss. Condolences to family.

[KansDem]

3. 220kg = 448lbs

:(

[hlthe2b]

4. Ohh, tragedy compounding tragedy...

I have no doubt the firefighters did everything possible. Very sad...

[dmallind]

5. Meanwhile Sir Cyril Smith, former British MP and lifelong morbidly obese

With a typical adult weight for many decades well north of 400lbs, died, in his sleep, of cancer, weighing 140lbs, at the age of 82. He survived on a diet famously consisting of multiple meat pies and beer, and was active in the community until cancer literally started eating him away.

.....but that doesn't do as much to blame and stigmatize the fat, so not worth mentioning I guess.

http://news.scotsman.com/getEdFrontImage.aspx?ImageID=466381

[JNelson6563]

6. Very tragic.

The bright spot is two were saved. So sad Jamaya didn't make it in spite of the firefighters' valiant efforts. The poor family must be overcome with sadness.

Julie

[Brickbat]

7. That poor family, and those poor firefighters.

Sad all around.