SPRINGFIELD — A 14-year-old boy and his mother died in a fire here early Wednesday after the boy ran back into the burning home in an attempt to save her, state police said.
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Bobby Ferrell and his mother Michelle, 54, a Burlington County elections official, were found dead on the home's second floor. The fire, reported shortly after 4:30 a.m., engulfed the home in the 2400 block of Monmouth Road, said State Police Sgt. Stephen Jones.
Fire- fighters arrived to find flames throughout the first and second floor. At least one firefighter made his way to the second floor, Jones said, but was forced to evacuate after a "flashover."
"The temperature was that high in the upstairs of the house," Jones said. "Anything combustible just ignited."
The blaze quickly escalated to four alarms and about 150 firefighters from more than 15 fire companies helped battle it, Jones said.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but preliminary evidence indicated it started in the rear of the home, "possibly in a clothes dryer," Jones said.
Ferrell's daughter, Emily McManus, smelled smoke in the home and yelled for people to leave the house, Jones said. Ferrell's son James climbed from a window and down a tree to escape. By the time the two made it outside, Bobby was already there, but when he realized his mother was inside, Jones said, he went back in.
The two were declared dead at the scene.
McManus, 23, and James Ferrell, 15, were treated for smoke inhalation at Virtua Memorial Hospital in Mount Holly.
Michelle Ferrell, who had two other grown children, worked as Election Division supervisor for the Burlington County Clerk's Office. She had been employed there for 15 years, said Acting Burlington County Clerk Wade Hale, and pictures of her family were displayed on her desk Wednesday.
County officials said they were offering employees in Ferrell's office counseling service. Friends and co-workers described her as an "awesome mother" and "very caring."
"Although it is a cliche, she would have given the shirt off her back to everyone," said Abigail Cipriano, a clerk typist who worked for Ferrell. "Everyone came before her and she was a friend to all of us."
Ferrell, also the shop steward for Local 1034 of the Communications Workers of America union, had a "wealth of knowledge," Hale said.
"She was a neighbor and a friend that I'll personally miss," he said.
What a tragic end to the loss of 2 beautiful people.
Below is a blog entry from my 15 year old son, who went to school with, and played sports with this boy who died...a true hero.
February 28, 2008 - Thursday
R.I.P. Current mood: Mixed
Courage - the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.
Hero - a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.
Someone who is full of courage will face any obstacle or any limitation and say, "I can rise above it. I am confident in myself and in my abilities to go forth with the task that is presented before me, and come out in a victorious manner, no matter what detriment it may put towards me. No matter what climate it puts me in, or any danger it puts me in. I can do this"acquaintance
How many people can honestly say they would run into a burning building, for anyone whether it be family, friend, acquaintance, neighbor, stranger or most of all, enemy? Bobby ran into an inferno of which he himself had already escaped in order to save his mother. Above are the definitions of Courage and Hero. Below are my defintions of Courage and Hero.
Courage - Bobby Ferrel
Hero - Bobby Ferrel
But heroes may be forgotten, and legends go on and remain in the hearts and minds of everyone who was in some way touched by that person. In my eyes Bobby, you are not only a hero, but a legend. 2/27/08 R.I.P.
Kathy Bobby...you are a true hero in every sense of the word. God put you and your Mom on this earth for a good reason...His plan was obtained and now God has two beautiful new angels in heaven to help Him do His work. May your family find comfort through God...May your love shine upon us all.
Me --- VERY PROUD MOMMY, our HERO, and my Mom---VERY PROUD GRANDMA!
