Zephyr
April 15th, 2009, 10:50 PM
Written by Sean C. Morgan of The New Era
Two Sweet Home women were severely burned in an apparent accident around a backyard fire pit early Saturday morning.
Paramedics transported Lynn Damewood, 31, and Courtney Lake, 21, to Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital. They were later transported to Portland hospitals, according to police records. Damewood was taken to Oregon Health Sciences University with life-threatening burns. Lake also had serious burns that were no considered life-threatening.
At lease four others were burned and treated by paramedics at the scene, said Laura Petersen, manager of Figaro's and Damewood's employer.
Some had burns to their hands from trying to put out the fire on the victims, she said.
"At approximately 2:13 a.m., police and emergency medical personnel were dispatched to 1131 28th Avenue with a report of burn victims at the location," Sweet Home Police Chief Bob Burford said. "The initial police investigation revealed that a group of adults had been in the backyard, gathered around an established fire pit area.
"Initial statements said the fire had begun to die down when one of the residents of the property obtained a can containing gasoline or other fuel and poured in on the smoldering fire," he said.
The fire engulfed the fuel, and people nearby were splashed with the burning liquid, Burford said.
Sweet Home Police Department is still attempting to piece together all of the events that took place, he said, No one has been charged in the incident.
Damewood, a delivery driver for Figaro's, was burned over 40% of her body, Petersen said. The shock of her injuries could have been fatal, so doctors sedated her to a coma state.
As of Monday, she was reacting to stimuli, Petersen said. She was expected to survive, but will remain at the burn unit for at least another six weeks.
Information on Lake's condition was unavailable to the press at the time. Petersen said she understood that Lake had suffered burns primarily around her legs.
Petersen said that she heard several different accounts of the incident, many of them false. She emphasized that the incident was 'Purely accidental'.
An account has been set up at Umpqua Bank to receive donations on behalf of Damewood and her husband, Jeremy, who also suffered minor burns.
On Sunday, April 26th, Sweet Home Figaro's will donate 100% of the proceeds to the Damewoods, Petersen said. Former employees from the past three years have offered to donate their labor that day. Other stores throughout the state may donate as well, but those plans have not been finalized yet.
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Poor Lynn :(
She's like an extra big sister to me.
I can't wait to hear if I can work in her place and donate the wages to her and her family.
I should hear back by Friday about me filling her shoes while she's out.
I'm already being put on oven duty the night of the fund raiser.
All of the owner's stores are donating at least 25% of their proceeds that night,
And some of the other owners are going to donate 25% as well.
I grew up and went to school with Courtney,
She's always been the sweetest person.
I guess she was breaking down in the hospital saying,
"Why is God punishing me like this?".
Lynn was trying to start opening her eyes yesterday,
Which is a very good sign.
They both have to have skin grafts.
My sister and I are making donation cans to place around town tomorrow.
Two Sweet Home women were severely burned in an apparent accident around a backyard fire pit early Saturday morning.
Paramedics transported Lynn Damewood, 31, and Courtney Lake, 21, to Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital. They were later transported to Portland hospitals, according to police records. Damewood was taken to Oregon Health Sciences University with life-threatening burns. Lake also had serious burns that were no considered life-threatening.
At lease four others were burned and treated by paramedics at the scene, said Laura Petersen, manager of Figaro's and Damewood's employer.
Some had burns to their hands from trying to put out the fire on the victims, she said.
"At approximately 2:13 a.m., police and emergency medical personnel were dispatched to 1131 28th Avenue with a report of burn victims at the location," Sweet Home Police Chief Bob Burford said. "The initial police investigation revealed that a group of adults had been in the backyard, gathered around an established fire pit area.
"Initial statements said the fire had begun to die down when one of the residents of the property obtained a can containing gasoline or other fuel and poured in on the smoldering fire," he said.
The fire engulfed the fuel, and people nearby were splashed with the burning liquid, Burford said.
Sweet Home Police Department is still attempting to piece together all of the events that took place, he said, No one has been charged in the incident.
Damewood, a delivery driver for Figaro's, was burned over 40% of her body, Petersen said. The shock of her injuries could have been fatal, so doctors sedated her to a coma state.
As of Monday, she was reacting to stimuli, Petersen said. She was expected to survive, but will remain at the burn unit for at least another six weeks.
Information on Lake's condition was unavailable to the press at the time. Petersen said she understood that Lake had suffered burns primarily around her legs.
Petersen said that she heard several different accounts of the incident, many of them false. She emphasized that the incident was 'Purely accidental'.
An account has been set up at Umpqua Bank to receive donations on behalf of Damewood and her husband, Jeremy, who also suffered minor burns.
On Sunday, April 26th, Sweet Home Figaro's will donate 100% of the proceeds to the Damewoods, Petersen said. Former employees from the past three years have offered to donate their labor that day. Other stores throughout the state may donate as well, but those plans have not been finalized yet.
-----------------------------------------------
Poor Lynn :(
She's like an extra big sister to me.
I can't wait to hear if I can work in her place and donate the wages to her and her family.
I should hear back by Friday about me filling her shoes while she's out.
I'm already being put on oven duty the night of the fund raiser.
All of the owner's stores are donating at least 25% of their proceeds that night,
And some of the other owners are going to donate 25% as well.
I grew up and went to school with Courtney,
She's always been the sweetest person.
I guess she was breaking down in the hospital saying,
"Why is God punishing me like this?".
Lynn was trying to start opening her eyes yesterday,
Which is a very good sign.
They both have to have skin grafts.
My sister and I are making donation cans to place around town tomorrow.