Child Dies In Atmore House Fire; First Responders Injured (With Gallery)

July 4, 2012

A fire late Tuesday night in Atmore claimed the life of 11-year old Nyamiah Weeks Weeks and sent five first responders to the the hospital.

The fire was reported about 11:15 p.m. in the 100 block of Beck Street.

Firefighters were quickly able to knock down the fire in the 1600 square foot wood frame home. By 11:45 p.m., family members learned that Nehemiah had just been found dead inside the home.

“”She was such a sweet, loving girl,” said a family member that did not wish to be named. “She was always so happy. And she was so happy to be going to the middle school.”   She would have started Escambia County Middle School in Atmore in August.

“I just can’t believe she’s gone. Little angel now,” he said. “God’s little angel.”

Preliminary information indicates the fire started after Nyamiah Weeks made a grilled cheese sandwich and left the stove on after cooking. Her grandmother, Jackie McMurray, escaped the blaze and was not injured.

For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.

The fire was still under investigation Wednesday morning, with Atmore Fire Chief Gerry McGhee saying that it could be a matter of days before the State Fire Marshal determined the fire’s origination.

Four firefighters and one Atmore police officer were transported to Atmore Community Hospital to be treated for injuries, McGhee said. The police officer suffered burns to his hands in a rescue attempt. All had been treated and released by mid-morning Wednesday.

Pictured top: An Atmore police officer and an unidentified man console a relative of a young girl killed in an Atmore house fire. Pictured below: Smoke pours from the Beck Street home in Atmore as paramedics treat an injured firefighter on the lawn. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

14 Responses to “Child Dies In Atmore House Fire; First Responders Injured (With Gallery)”

  1. Tawanna on July 7th, 2012 1:08 am

    our little miyah was truly an angel on earth and now she is with our master with no worries or hurt. she will truly be missed. her magical and bright smile lightened up any dark day. we love and miss you dearly miyah! thank you lord for allowing us to have your angel in our lives…….

  2. Kendra bonner on July 4th, 2012 8:13 pm

    I know the family very well and they are very good people you are in our thoughts and prayers this is a tragic loss for everyone that babygirl will be greatly missed she’s gone but not forgotten she’s in god’s hands.

  3. just my words on July 4th, 2012 7:46 pm

    our heavenly father, please put your loving arms around this family during this time of their lost, and give them the strength to keep you in their hearts and not to question your work but to understand it, losing such a loving child at this early stage of their life is so hard for us to understand why that we may forget that you have a reason for everything and as hard as it maybe you will not put more on us than we can bear even at this time we may not feel like at this time, please be with family during their time of losing this little angel. I feel for this family and my prayers are with all of you. words can not express the sorrow I feel for you, may god keep you strong at this time.

  4. David Huie Green on July 4th, 2012 5:19 pm

    it’s a shame

  5. Darlene on July 4th, 2012 4:41 pm

    My condolences to the family, very sad, but she is in God’s House now. A huge thanks to all of the firefighters and emergency personnel that worked to put out the fire and help the family. Your efforts are truly appreciated by many.

  6. Angi B. on July 4th, 2012 10:18 am

    I am so sorry to hear of this tragic loss, my thoughts and prayers are with this family…

  7. melodies4us on July 4th, 2012 8:14 am

    To the family of God’s little angel: May God give you strength. One day you will join her, and you will be glad that the Lord took her when He did.

  8. sparnell on July 4th, 2012 7:34 am

    So sad. My prayers to all those involved in this tragic story.

  9. Old Goldie on July 4th, 2012 7:23 am

    Such a sad story. God be with the family as they mourn the loss of this little angel. Just know she is with the Master now and will never feel pain nor sorrow again.

  10. mnon on July 4th, 2012 6:59 am

    Aw… this is so sad, poor little girl… news like this makes me so sad and feel so bad for the family.

    Know that you are in my prayers, I’m so so sorry for your loss.

  11. Jane on July 4th, 2012 6:13 am

    I am so sorry for the injuries to the first responders and so sad that the girl died in their attempts to save her. So sad for the family…my prayers go out to them.

  12. Buddy Meredith on July 4th, 2012 6:11 am

    Dear God, please comfort the family as only You can and thank You for putting such brave men and women in our communities as will risk their own lives to attempt to save the life of another.

  13. Gary on July 4th, 2012 5:24 am

    This breaks my heart. I dont know the family or even much about the area. However, to read that this little Angel lost her life is horrific. My prayers to the family and could not imagine your pain.

    Know she is with God now and will be so for eternity. Flex your new wings little Angel and watch over those who are mourning…

  14. 429SCJ on July 4th, 2012 4:40 am

    Prayers for Family and First Responders.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News