The victim, 71-year-old Evelyn Welch, a resident at Becker Manor, was also on supplemental oxygen, “which is a very dangerous combination,” Deputy Chief Mike Clements of the Roanoke Rapids Fire Department said. “It’s never a good practice. It’s just dangerous.”
Firefighters responded to the call shortly after 9 p.m. fire Chief Stacy Coggins said.
Clements said firefighters observed heavy smoke coming from a second-floor window and encountered heavy smoke but little flames when they entered the apartment.
Firefighters located the victim, who Coggins said was unresponsive and transported to the hospital.

Firefighters at the scene.

Firefighters used water to contain what little fire there was.
The fire was confined to the bedroom, Clements said, and did not extend to any apartments above or below. The remainder of the time spent after containment was for removal of smoke and making sure carbon monoxide levels were acceptable. Firefighters cleared the scene around 11:45 p.m.
During the ordeal, First Pentecostal Holiness Church opened its gymnatorium to the evacuated residents. “First Pentecostal was very kind to open the gym to provide air-conditioned shelter for the residents,” Clements said.
Coggins said it was difficult to determine whether Welch had fallen asleep. “It appeared she tried to get out of the bedroom.”
The fire chief said law enforcement and fire officials made its determination on the apparent cause of the fire after eliminating all electrical sources. “We were able to locate smoking materials such as lighters and ashtrays.”
Clements said Roanoke Valley Rescue Squad, the police department, the city’s public works department and Red Cross assisted. Halifax County EMS provided firefighter rehab.