Jump to full article: KVOA NBC 4 (Tucson, AZ), 2009-08-16
Intro: Fire investigators say medical oxygen and a lit cigarette ignited a mobile home fire claiming the lives of a 94 year old mother and her disabled daughter.
The fire broke out just before midnight Friday at the Swan Lakes Estates mobile home park on Flowing Wells Rd near Wetmore Road.
Firefighters say the fire started while 66-year-old Susan Weiner was smoking in bed and using an oxygen tank.
When crews got there they pulled 94-year-old Edna Mayer from the home. Mayor died at the scene from smoke inhalation.
. . .
Neighbor Peggy Oltman says Weiner could not be swayed to be safe even though others were in danger. "She always smoked and used oxygen. Susan wasn't going to give up smoking. I don't care if she was in bed, in the bath tub, in a car. She'll be walking in a store and try to take a cigarette in with her."
The oxygen induced blast was just ten feet from Ruby McCurdy's bedroom. "I'm so lucky. I've been thanking the good Lord all day. It was a foolish thing for her to be doing because she took her mother along with her."
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