CALLOWAY COUNTY, Ky. — It was just one hour into the New Year when Trevor Wallace smelled the smoke and saw flames coming from his house. Within minutes, seven different fire departments responded to the scene in Calloway County, Kentucky.
Eight people were inside the home at the time, six adults and two children. Only seven made it out.
James Beals was pulled from the house with 70 percent of his body burned. He was transferred to Vanderbilt where he is in the ICU.
Beals' fiance, 38-year-old Tara Hickman, died from smoke inhalation and burns. She left behind two children.
Family members said they have gone from celebrating the New Year to planning a funeral.
"Tara will be missed," said Trevor Wallace, who was inside the home during the fire. "Her kids are not doing well right now. They are pretty tore up about it all. We'll get through it, though. We will."
Funeral arrangements for Hickman have not been made yet.
The family does not have insurance. Any donation can be brought to the Calloway County Red Cross. The family members all wear large and extra large.
Investigators will be back on the scene Tuesday looking for a cause.
