Burn victim dies; fire ruled an accident

By Staff
Melissa Cason
The Russellville woman injured in the fire that destroyed her home last week died over the weekend at UAB.
Fire Marshall Bobby Malone said Katie May Hale, 61, of 18214 Highway 43 in Russellville, died Saturday due to injuries sustained during a house fire.
Malone said the cause of the fire has been ruled accidental since the victim could not give any information on how the fire started.
"We really could talk with Ms. Hale after the fire so we aren't really sure of the exact cause of the fire," Malone said. "But, we are sure it was accidental."
Possible causes of the fire could include a lamp located near the bed.
"There was a lamp near the bed, and she was also a smoker so we aren't sure what happened during the minutes leading up to the fire."
Hale was injured Jan. 26 when her home burned. Approximately half her body was burned in the fire, and she was flown to UAB Hospital in Birmingham, where she remained in the ICU burn unit, where she died.