Woman Dies Trying To Save Minneapolis Grandmother From Fire
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Minneapolis grandmother known for her generosity is in the ICU at Hennepin County Medical Center after surviving a major fire. The woman who reportedly tried to save her, lost her life.
The two were in a north Minneapolis home that burned overnight. Firefighters are investigating but say it started on the bottom floor. The home is a total loss.
Hours earlier, it was a home of holiday joy. Mary Thomas, a beloved grandmother, owns the home. She had just asked one grandson who also lives there for a favor.
"She asked me to fix her a pie," Mary's grandson said. "I was going to fix my grandma a pie before I got out of town, now my holidays is spoiled, it's all over with."
Mary's grandson talked with WCCO from outside the hospital where his grandmother is in the ICU. He's not sure how the fire started but says he remembers seeing a mattress on the first floor on fire.
"I opened the door and there was smoke everywhere," he said.
Also inside was Joy Walker, a family friend, who Mary had given a place to live. Mary's grandson and his cousin tried to save their grandmother, so did Walker. She went back in a second time and died on the second floor.
"I'm just, I'm just shocked," Mary's grandson said.
So is Walker's pastor, Alika Galloway of Kwanza Community Church.
"That would pretty much sum up who Joy was. She was kind, she was vivacious, very, very smart," she said. "This is a great tragedy, this is a great tragedy."
Leaving a family with the deepest of grief and the greatest of hope.
"I have my faith and I'm going to stick with my faith," Mary's grandson said of his grandmother.
The family lost their belongings in the fire, they are trying to figure out how to help Walker's children. Mary is in critical condition. Her family is staying close to her side.
A GoFundMe has been created for Walker's family. There is also a GoFundMe page set up for Thomas.
