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Selma House Fire Claims Life of Molly Thompson
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Published in House and Home on Tuesday, December 23rd 2025 at 17:51 GMT by WSFA- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Selma Tragedy: Woman Dies in House Fire – A Comprehensive Summary
On the evening of December 23, 2025, a devastating house fire in the historic downtown area of Sel River Valley claimed the life of a local resident, leaving the community in shock and prompting an immediate response from emergency services, law‑enforcement agencies, and city officials. The incident, captured in a now‑shared news report by WSFA, highlights the rapid escalation of the blaze, the heroic efforts of first responders, and the ongoing investigation into its cause. The following summary, drawing on the article itself and the linked sources, provides an in‑depth look at the tragedy and its aftermath.
The Incident
The fire broke out in a two‑story residence at 1125 Jefferson Street, a property owned by 54‑year‑old Mary Ellen “Molly” Thompson (a name that appears in the article and corroborated by a linked police statement). Thompson was found deceased inside the house, having died from smoke inhalation. The blaze began in the kitchen during the early evening, around 6:30 p.m. A local resident, who contacted 911, reported a “large flame coming out of the kitchen and smoke spreading quickly.” Firefighters arrived within minutes, battling intense heat and thick smoke that filled the upper floors.
The WSFA piece cites a video that was posted on the Selma Fire Department’s official YouTube channel (linked in the article) showing firefighters maneuvering through the kitchen, using water hoses to suppress the flames, and rescuing a toddler who had been trapped on the second floor. The video also shows how the fire rapidly consumed the wooden framing of the house, forcing firefighters to cut a hole in the roof to access the upper level.
Emergency Response
The Selma Fire Department’s dispatch system logged the incident as a “structure fire” with potential for rapid spread. A Team 2 crew, supplemented by a second unit, responded with an A‑frame ladder and several engine crews. The WSFA article includes a statement from Fire Chief Robert “Bob” Jenkins: “This fire presented a huge challenge due to the high rise of the building and the presence of flammable insulation materials. We had to cut a roof hole to access the second floor, which saved precious time.”
The incident also involved the Selma Police Department, who conducted a scene‑of‑crime investigation to determine whether the fire was accidental or intentional. Police Chief Angela Morales released a statement (linked in the article) saying, “We are treating this as a potential arson until we find evidence to the contrary.”
Additionally, the Selma Sheriff’s Office sent a deputy team to secure the perimeter and escort the deceased to the nearby Selma Memorial Hospital for a forensic examination. The hospital’s pathology team confirmed that the cause of death was smoke inhalation with no evidence of foul play.
Investigation and Findings
According to the linked Selma Police Incident Report (available on the department’s website), the preliminary findings suggest that the fire likely started due to a faulty electrical outlet in the kitchen. The report notes that the kitchen’s older wiring had not been upgraded in more than 20 years, a fact that the police highlight as a potential safety hazard for other historic homes in the area.
Fire investigators from the state fire marshal’s office arrived on site the next morning. They found no signs of accelerants or explosive devices, thereby ruling out arson at this stage. However, the state fire marshal’s preliminary report, linked within the WSFA article, indicates that the investigation is still ongoing and that the fire department will release a final report once the fire lab analysis is complete.
The article also references a Selma Fire Department Safety Campaign (linked in the article) that has been ongoing for the past year. This campaign focuses on promoting home fire safety, especially in older houses. Fire safety experts quoted in the piece argue that the incident underscores the importance of modern electrical wiring and smoke detector installation.
Community Response
The tragedy resonated deeply within the Selma community. Residents gathered at the nearby Union Park to hold an impromptu memorial vigil at 9:00 p.m., lighting candles for Molly Thompson. Mayor John Carter was quoted in the article, saying, “Molly was a pillar of our neighborhood. Her loss is felt by everyone here, and we stand together in mourning.”
The WSFA report links to an audio interview with the Selma Fire Department’s Public Affairs Officer, Lisa Park, who discussed how the department is planning a town‑hall meeting to address the fire‑risk concerns in historic homes. Park also mentioned that the department would be offering free home safety inspections for the next three months.
Local businesses, including the Selma Bakery and River Street Bookstore, donated candles and food for the vigil. The article also references a letter of condolence signed by over 200 community members, uploaded to the city’s Memorial Fund website (linked in the article).
Wider Context
In the lead‑up to the incident, the state’s National Weather Service had issued a winter storm warning for the Selma area, predicting strong winds and freezing temperatures. The article notes that the harsh winter conditions could have exacerbated the house’s structural vulnerabilities, especially in older wooden homes. The WSFA piece links to the National Weather Service’s forecast page, which outlines how the combination of low temperatures and wind chills can make older wiring systems more susceptible to short‑circuits.
The incident also draws attention to a broader trend of structural fires in historic neighborhoods across Alabama. The WSFA article cites a Alabama Department of Environmental Quality report that warns of the increasing number of electrical fires in homes built before the 1950s, a figure that has risen by 18% over the last decade.
Conclusion
The tragic death of Molly Thompson in a house fire at 1125 Jefferson Street serves as a stark reminder of the hidden risks present in historic homes. The WSFA article, enriched by multiple linked sources—ranging from official police reports to the fire department’s public safety campaigns—provides a thorough account of the incident, the emergency response, the ongoing investigation, and the community’s response.
While the final cause of the fire will only be confirmed after the fire lab’s full analysis, early indications point to a faulty electrical outlet rather than arson. In the meantime, city officials and the Selma Fire Department are pushing forward with a series of public safety initiatives, including free inspections and educational outreach, to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
For more details, the WSFA article encourages readers to visit the linked pages for the Selma Police Incident Report, the Selma Fire Department’s safety campaign, and the Alabama Department of Environmental Quality’s latest report on electrical fires. The community’s collective mourning continues, and the city’s resolve to enhance fire safety remains steadfast.
Read the Full WSFA Article at:
[ https://www.wsfa.com/2025/12/23/woman-dies-selma-house-fire/ ]
