Burned girl set for skin surgery
Saturday's fire left the youngster on life support and in critical condition.
By Lorri Helfand, Times Staff Writer
Published February 25, 2008
CLEARWATER - A 9-year-old girl who emerged from her home in flames early Saturday is scheduled for surgery today at Shriners Hospitals for Children in Cincinnati, relatives say.
Makeila Pressley, who suffered serious burns on her face and most of her upper body, remains in critical but stable condition, according to Barbara Jenkins, her great-aunt. Today's surgery will remove damaged skin, and she will need numerous skin grafts, said Jenkins, 41.
"It's going to be a long road for her," she said.
Makeila, who also sustained second-degree burns on her legs, is on life support and under heavy sedation, said Jenkins, who has been keeping in frequent contact with Makeila's mother.
Late Sunday, Makeila awoke and was able to shake her head "yes" and "no" in response to questions, Jenkins said. Doctors said she might even be on her feet in a week or so, she said.
Two other children in the home were taken to Morton Plant Hospital and treated for smoke inhalation. Both were released and were reportedly doing fine.
After the fire, Makeila was transported to Tampa General Hospital, where she received treatment to remove skin on her face. Late Saturday, Makeila and her mother, Davana Pressley, were flown to Cincinnati.
An outgoing third-grader at Largo Central Elementary, Makeila is also a little league cheerleader for the Greenwood Panthers. Much of Makeila's long hair was scorched in the fire and the rest was shaved to treat her burns, Jenkins said.
The 911 call came in shortly after midnight Friday. Firefighters took about 10 minutes to get the fire under control, according to Clearwater fire officials, who said the blaze was accidental and caused about $55,000 damage.
Makeila's grandmother, Shirley Pressley, 48, is haunted by the image of Makeila ablaze.
"I actually saw her coming out of the room on fire," said Pressley, 48, who lived in the home. "I'll never forget seeing her burn like that."
Makeila got to her feet shortly after her mother threw her arms around Makeila and pushed her to the ground to extinguish the flames, according to Jenkins, who said she arrived at the scene about 10 minutes after the fire broke out.
Makeila told her mom she was in pain and was having difficulty breathing, Jenkins said. The girl said, "Mommy, I'm scared. Don't let anything happen to me," Jenkins said.
A dozen family members, who lived at the house at 916 Eldridge, have been displaced and are staying with various relatives.
"We haven't been able to focus on anything else but her," Jenkins said. Relatives are trying to find permanent housing, she said, "so they can get the family together and get back to some kind of normalcy."
Times staff writer Lorri Helfand can be reached at lorri@sptimes.com or 727 445-4155.