Plattsburgh fire victim improves

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February 14, 2012

LaFountain listed in fair condition

MIRANDA ORSO Press-Republican The Press Republican Tue Feb 14, 2012, 05:54 AM EST

PLATTSBURGH — The condition of a Plattsburgh woman hospitalized Sunday with injuries sustained in an early morning fire on Sunday improved to "fair" by Monday.

Tanya LaFountain had been in critical condition when she was transferred from CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh to Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington on Sunday; she had been severely burned in a fire that badly damaged her home at 4947 South Catherine St.

She suffered second- and third-degree burns and smoke inhalation in the fire, said Plattsburgh City Police Chief Desmond Racicot, who is acting fire chief.

The blaze, according to the fire report, started in the downstairs living room. It quickly spread up the stairs to the second floor, damaging the stairway.

The entire structure suffered smoke damage.

Officials were called in to shut off both the water and power supply, making the single-family home uninhabitable.

The LaFountain family is receiving emergency aid from the North Country Chapter of the American Red Cross. That organization found immediate lodging for one family member, according to a press release.

In the coming days and weeks, the Red Cross will be available to assist the family to develop a post-disaster plan.

The victim's age and the identities of other family members were not available Monday.