South Carolina woman's life cut short in microwave fire incident

A heartbreaking accident involving a microwave oven took the life of a 67-year-old Sumter County resident Thursday evening. In a release by the Sumter County Sherriff's Office Officials say the fatal blaze erupted after a disastrous mistake involving the home's microwave.

Firefighters raced to the house on Kolb Road around 8:37 pm upon receiving frantic calls about thick smoke pouring from the home and someone outside yelling for assistance. According to the report, one resident made it out safely and told deputies the other was probably still trapped.

The victim, later identified as Thommie Ruth Jackson, was pulled from the smoke-choked home but couldn't be revived at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital. Jackson lived at the Kolb Road residence with her sister before the fire.

A witness recounted how one of the residents had tried warming a foil-wrapped sandwich in the microwave, which then sparked a raging fire. Investigators traced the flames to improper microwave use, ruling it an accidental blaze caused by putting aluminum foil inside.

Rescuers found that the "thick smoke" from the fire initially made it "impossible to enter" the home. According to PEOPLE, authorities also cited "poor living conditions" inside the residence as a factor hindering extinguishing efforts and allowing the flames to spread rapidly. The official cause of Jackson's death awaits autopsy results from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Safety experts sternly warn that no metal items whatsoever should go into microwave ovens due to severe fire hazards.

"In the event of a microwave fire, immediately unplug the unit, keep the door closed, and call 911," said John Davis, Fire Marshal at the National Institutes of Health. He told PEOPLE that "things can turn tragic very quickly, as this terrible incident shows."

Friends and neighbors expressed shock at the freak microwave accident that led to Jackson's death. "She was the sweetest lady," said longtime neighbor Amy Williams. "This is just devastatingly sad."

The Sumter County Fire Department continued investigating the exact circumstances surrounding the fire but stated there was no evidence of foul play. Fire safety advocates urge exercising extreme caution when operating microwave ovens.