2023-02-09
Neighbors try to save wheelchair bound woman by pulling her out of burning home
AMARILLO, Texas (KVII) — A wheelchair bound woman died in an early morning house fire.
Around 4:20 a.m., the Amarillo Fire Department responded to a fire at 1616 NW 15th Ave.
The first unit on scene noticed a front bedroom was on fire. They also found 72-year-old Betty Moore dead on the front lawn.
Betty Moore, 72, was found dead on the front lawn of her home on February 9, 2022. The discovery was made when Amarillo firefighters responded to a house fire at< >1616 NW 15th Ave (Ash Albright/KVII)
The fire department said two neighbors were getting ready for work when they smelled smoke and went to the house to help.
They opened the bedroom window and found Moore, who was wheelchair bound, and pulled her out. But she was already dead.
Betty Moore, 72, was found dead on the front lawn of her home on February 9, 2023. The discovery was made when Amarillo firefighters responded to a house fire at 1616 NW 15th Ave (Ash Albright/KVII)
One of those neighbors was Brodrick Rucker.
This is the second time Rucker tried to save Moore.
In September, Moore "improperly discarded a cigarette" before she fell asleep. Rucker heard the smoke alarm and ran over to help her.
On Monday, Amarillo Professional Firefighters Local 542 presented Rucker the Amarillo Firefighters lifesaving award.
Amarillo Professional Firefighters Local 542 presented Brodrick Rucker with the Amarillo Firefighters lifesaving award on February 6, 2023 (Credit: Amarillo Professional Firefighters Local 542)
Firefighters made entry and found the fire was contained to the bedroom.
The fire was under control in less than 15 minutes.
The Fire Marshal's Office determined the fire was "unintentional," but could not determine the exact cause.
Betty Moore, 72, was found dead on the front lawn of her home on February 9, 2023. The discovery was made when Amarillo firefighters responded to a house fire at 1616 NW 15th Ave (Ash Albright/KVII)