Woman hospitalized trying to save mother, grandmother trapped in deadly house fire

MOODY, Ala. (WBRC/Gray News) - A mother and a grandmother in Alabama died after a house fire Sunday morning despite efforts from the mother’s daughter to rescue them, authorities said.

According to the Moody Fire Department, an alert for a house fire came in at 2 a.m. Sunday on Mt. Olive Drive.

When they arrived at the location, first responders said they found a mobile home engulfed in flames.

Officials said Patricia Davis was in her home next door to the home when her cousin, Sheronda Murphy, came calling for help at 1:30 in the morning.

Murphy said her mother and grandmother were trapped inside the home.

“There wasn’t nothing we could do to get them out,” Davis said. “Whenever you have to watch people you love, burned to a crisp, and there’s nothing you can do. It just ain’t right.”

Davis said Murphy jumped into action, trying to get inside the home to rescue her family.

“[Murphy had] third-degree burns on her hands and her arms from trying to get them out, I couldn’t jump up on that back porch like she did,” Davis said. “It was almost like she had wings; God had to be there with us.”

Despite Murphy’s heroic efforts, the flames were too much to battle.

Her grandmother, 77-year-old Jane Ethel Murphy, and her mother, 57-year-old Ingrid Coretta Murphy, sadly died in the fire.

Family said Murphy was released from the hospital Monday and is recovering from her injuries.

As Moody Fire and the State Fire Marshall investigate, Davis said she does not know yet how her family will be able to move forward.

“Every time I close my eyes, I see the fire,” she said. “Every time … I hear my Sharonda [say] ‘I’m trying to find my mama!’ I mean, it’s hard.”

The only things Davis knows to ask for right now are donations and prayers.

“[Murphy] ain’t got nothin no more; everything she’s got is burnt up,” Davis said. “I’m so worried about her. We need prayers and donations please.”

Anyone who would like to help Murphy in her loss can donate to a GoFundMe set up by friends and family.

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