Woman escapes fire with 2 sons

The early morning blaze destroys their duplex and causes heavy smoke damage to the adjacent home.

By JANE MEINHARDT

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 28, 2000

DUNEDIN -- A 29-year-old woman broke out a bedroom window to save herself and her two sons early Tuesday when a fire engulfed their duplex.

Lisa Mackin sustained minor injuries, and one of her boys had a small cut on a foot after their escape.

The 3:15 a.m. blaze destroyed their duplex at 1309 Union St. Pinellas County sheriff's detectives are investigating the cause of the fire.

"What I heard was a scream," said neighbor Linda Leugers. "I looked out, and the flames were pouring out their back door."

Mackin, who said she did not want to discuss what happened, was awakened when she heard a noise. She opened her bedroom door and found the living room in flames, fire officials said.

"The fire had cut her off from the escape doors," said Dunedin Deputy Fire Chief Scott Magness. "The boys' bedroom was just several steps away, so she made it to their room."

Using her hands, Mackin broke the glass out of a bedroom window, which was the only way out of the burning duplex. She helped remove her sons -- David, 9, and 21/2-year-old Nickolas -- and then followed them out the window.

"They were real lucky," Magness said. "If she hadn't woken up, it would have been a real tragedy. They have lost everything, but they're alive."

Leugers said Mackin got her boys out, backed out her car and then went into the neighboring duplex at 1311 Union St. Mackin helped remove three children who were staying there with a babysitter.

Dunedin and Clearwater firefighters had the fire under control in about 30 minutes. The adjacent duplex had heavy smoke damage. The loss was estimated at $60,000.

The American Red Cross arranged for temporary housing for Mackin and her sons.

"The main thing she needs is a new place to stay," said Felisa Calhoun, a friend of Mackin's. "It needs to be in some other area so she won't have to look at what happened where she used to live."

To help

The Tampa Bay Chapter of the American Red Cross is coordinating efforts to help the family. Call (813) 348-4820.

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