House Fire at 5th & Quincy Claims Life of Sedalia Woman

A Sedalia woman who was rescued from a house fire on Monday night and rushed to the hospital has succumbed to her injuries.

Sedalia Fire Chief Matt Irwin delivered the sad news to City Council near the end of a meeting on Wednesday night.

“She has passed away,” Chief Irwin said. “She was an organ donor … we're doing an honor walk for her at the hospital. Fire crews and EMS crews are going to be there. So I apologize I am going to be stepping away, but I just wanted to let you guys know, that unfortunately, she has passed away. But in that death, she has given the gift of life to a number of other people.”

The fire chief then left the building at 7:37 p.m. on his way to Bothwell Regional Health Center.

The woman was one of several people who were in the house when the fire broke out in the 900 block of West 5th Street around 11 p.m., who were transported to Bothwell for smoke inhalation.

The woman was located on the second story of the home, which had heavy smoke and flames showing upon the fire department's arrival. She was immediately rushed to the hospital by PCAD.

After battling the blaze, fire crews left the scene around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and remains under investigation by the Missouri State Fire Marshal.

"My heart goes out to that family," Sedalia Mayor Andrew Dawson commented upon hearing the tragic news.

The woman was later identified as 43-year-old Elizabeth Ann Friend, of Sedalia.