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December 24, 2008

Teenager who lost mom in fire improving

By Jean Cole

The Limestone County teenager who lost his mother in a house fire said from his hospital bed Wednesday he is trying to get better.

Teddy Olson, 18, had been upgraded from critical to serious condition at University of Alabama Hospital in Birmingham, said spokesman Bob Shepard.

The teenager and his stepfather, Richard McCurry, 60, sustained severe burns and smoke inhalation when fire swept through their home at 28164 West Limestone School Road about 4 a.m. Tuesday.

Despite an attempt by Teddy and Richard to break a bedroom window and re-enter the home, the smoke and fire prevented it and their mother and wife, Princess McCurry, 41, died.

Richard remained in critical condition in the hospital’s intensive-care unit Wednesday, Shepard said.

Teddy had been moved from the hospital’s intensive-care unit to a bed in a step-down unit where he has a telephone but remains closely monitored until he is well enough to move to a regular bed. He said a family member was coming to visit him later Wednesday.

A wood-burning stove used to heat their singlewide mobile home is believed to have caused the fire, though the fire marshal is still investigating.

Firefighters from West Limestone, Goodsprings and Pleasant Grove responded.

A puppy died due to the fire, a firefighter said. Another dog is being treated for burns at The Dog Pound in Athens and two others were penned behind the home Tuesday afternoon.

Teddy’s former teachers and current friends and co-workers at Walmart in Athens are raising money for the Olson family to help defray medical, funeral and other expenses.

To donate to the family: Send checks payable to Olson Tragedy Fund, Superior Bank, Athens branch, U.S. 72 East, Athens, Ala., 35611 or to Superior Bank, Elkmont branch; 25530 Alabama 127; Elkmont, Ala., 35620.

For more information: Call (256) 262-0530 in Athens or (256) 732-4440 in Elkmont.

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