April 14--MIDDLETOWN -- A Middletown woman who fought for her life for two days after firefighters rescued her from a burning apartment building has died.
Melissa Cheeseman, 32, died Friday, according to the Montgomery County Coroner's Office, our media partner WCPO reports.
Search crews battled smoke and flames to reach Cheeseman, who was trapped on the second floor, according to fire officials.
"The victim had life threatening injuries when we removed her from the building," said Brent Dominy, Middletown Deputy Fire Chief. "Dispatch was talking to the victim while we were searching the second floor. She became unconscious at some point in time, but dispatch could still hear us working and were telling us we were getting closer to the victim."
Fire officials said Cheeseman was in critical condition after suffering burns on 30 percent to 40 percent of her body.
More than a dozen firefighters responded to an apartment in the 2300 block of South Sutphin Street at Midtonia Village apartments around 6:15 a.m. Wednesday.
"The damage is extensive," Dominy said of the fire. "There is a total burn out of the first floor and partial burn out of the second floor."
Dominy estimates damages to the building at $100,000 and $10,000 for contents. The apartment next door had smoke damage, "but the fire did not extend past the unit of origin," he said.
Neighbors said they saw flames shooting out the windows.
"We saw them pull her out and put her on the gurney," said Tiffany Childers, a neighbor. "She just looked so lifeless, she looked so burnt ..."
Cheeseman was rushed to Atrium Medical Center and then flown to Miami Valley Hospital, according to Middletown firefighters.
A second woman, Kelli McNutt, 24, and a young girl, Riley McNutt, 5, were also in the apartment building when the fire broke out but escaped before firefighters arrived, according to Dominy.
Middletown fire officials are still investigating the cause of the fire, and the State Fire Marshal's office is also helping with the investigation.
Rachel Blair lives in the building adjacent to the fire. She called 911 after seeing smoke billowing from the house.
"Black smoke coming out of the house," she said. "It really freaked me out because I wanted to go in there and get her. I started to cry because I couldn't go in there and save her. I'm glad they came real quick to get her out."
Dominy credited rescue crews for their efforts Wednesday morning.
"Our crews did a great job. They took a pretty good beating to find the victim and get her removed," he said.
At least six fire trucks responded to the fire. Monroe and Madison Twp. fire squads also assisted.
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