The fire moved fast, trapping six people inside the San Juan Drive home before 10 a.m., and Wendy Doucette never made it out. Neighbors described the blaze as sudden and fierce, spreading from the rear of the house and quickly engulfing the entire structure. Within minutes, thick black smoke poured from the windows, forcing family members to cry for help.
It was then that neighbors acted with remarkable bravery. T.J. Davis, who lives across the street, rushed into the burning home without hesitation. Battling smoke and flames, he managed to pull two children to safety, carrying them out to waiting relatives. Meanwhile, another neighbor, Angela Boone, positioned herself near a basement window after hearing frantic cries from inside.
With fire closing in, she caught hold of a baby as the infant was handed out to her, ensuring the child’s survival in a moment of pure instinct.Firefighters arrived in just four minutes, but by then the fire had overtaken much of the house. Crews quickly attacked the blaze, working to contain it and rescue those still inside.
The mother and three other individuals were rushed out, suffering from burns and smoke inhalation, but alive. Tragically, despite every effort, firefighters discovered the body of Wendy Doucette inside the home.Authorities later confirmed that the cause of the fire is under investigation, with preliminary reports suggesting it may have originated in the kitchen area.
For neighbors, however, the tragedy is defined not only by loss but also by courage. “They didn’t think twice,” one witness said of Davis and Boone. “They saved lives today.”As the community grieves Doucette’s passing, many are calling her a loving presence in the neighborhood, someone whose warmth will be deeply missed. A memorial is already forming outside the charred home.
