Mom critical after son rescues her from Nicholville house fire

NICHOLVILLE — An 87-year-old woman is in critical condition after suffering second- and third-degree burns from a house fire Wednesday night caused by a kerosene lamp she was using to keep warm during a power outage, Harold Snyder, the victim's son, said.

Bethel Snyder was initially taken by Tri-Town Rescue to Canton-Potsdam Hospital, Potsdam, for treatment. She was later moved to the burn unit at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington, Vt. where she was put into an induced coma.

Hopkinton-Fort Jackson firefighters responded at around 10 p.m. to 91 River St., owned by Mr. Snyder who lives within view of it.

"I noticed something bright in her house and just ran over," he said. "I blew through her front door and saw flames behind her. Her pants were on fire, her sleeves were on fire and most of her back was on fire. She says she wasn't burnt and told me to get her dog and purse from the house."

He instead carried her out of the house and doused the flames on her with a shirt. The dog, a chihuahua named Charlotte, did not survive the fire, he said.

The home, an 1890s era two-story that sits at the end of a cul-de-sac within view of a bridge over the St. Regis River along Route 11B, was not insured.

Power returned to the area around 12:30 a.m., Mr. Snyder said.

The Nicholville, Parishville, Dickinson and St. Regis Falls fire companies assisted at the scene.