White County house fire hospitalizes one

WHITE COUNTY, AR – A house fire has sent one woman to the hospital with first, second and third degree burns.

According to reports, on January 19, officials responded to a house located at 1241 North Street in the Kensett area for a residential fire.

When authorities arrived, they were approached by one of the victims, 46-year-old Donnie Mulherin who said that his wife, 42-year-old Darlene Ritter, was still in the residence. Authorities were able to cut out a hole on the side of the residence and pull Ritter out, who was later transported to Children’s Hospital burn unit. Mulherin suffered first degree burns to his hands, arms, neck, and his back. Ritter suffered first, second, and third degree burns to multiple locations on her body as well as smoke inhalation.

The investigation is ongoing.