At approximately 3:17 PM Thursday, December 23rd, the Sheriff's Office was notified by the 911 Communications Center of a residential structure fire at 309 Woods Dr. in the Clarkridge Area Fire District in Northern Baxter County.  The Sheriff's Office was also advised that a person was still inside the burning building.

     Sheriff's Deputies and Firemen from the Clarkridge Volunteer Fire Department responded to the residence, with mutual aid provided by the Oakland-Promise Land Volunteer Fire Department and the Mountain Home Fire Department. 

     First responders learned that the residence was the home of two persons, 78 year old Mildred Rorie and her brother, 80 year old James Woods.  Mildred Rorie had escaped from the burning building, however her brother James Woods did not. 

     Emergency personnel were on the scene until approximately 8:30 PM.  Mildred Rorie was transported by ambulance to Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home to be treated for smoke inhalation.  The Baxter County Coroner's Office removed the body of James Woods from the residence, which was a total loss. 

     The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time.

/s/ John F. Montgomery,
Baxter County Sheriff