In Sardis
Church members rescue mother from house fire
By Anne Marie Kyzer Staff Writer
Church members on a prayer walk rescued a mother inside her burning trailer Saturday afternoon.

Jennifer Jester, 31, of Dorris Lane in Sardis, was cooking in her mobile home when grease caught fire in a pan on her stove. When Jester tried to carry the flaming pan to a door, she was burned.

Members of Sardis Baptist " Church who were walking door-to-door saw the fire and called 911, according to church member Kathryn Graham. She said pastor Kenneth Nichols found Jester sitting on her couch in a state of shock and brought her out with help from a church youth.

While Jester has two children, Graham said neither was home at the time of the fire.

"It's just a miracle that we were there. She's lucky to be alive," Graham said. "I guess God just placed us there."

According to Chief Rusty Sanders, of the Burke County Emergency Management Agency, Jester suffered second degree burns around her mouth and on her feet and was transported to Doctor's Hospital.

Chief Sanders said the trailer was damaged in the kitchen and around a doorway and was most likely repairable. He said usually mobile home fires destroy the home unless the fire is discovered right away.