Woman, 69, killed in house fire

Victim identified by husband as Mary Howell, 69

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Mary Howell, 69, died in a house fire in North Harris County, according to her husband.

“She said one of us gonna have to die to get out of the marriage, and we hadn't planned on that any time,” said Bob Howell. "Thirty years together and (we had) good times.”

Bob Howell remembered his wife as firefighters surrounded their home on Brinkwood and North Forest. He said Mary Howell had a migraine, may have taken medication and fell asleep.

Howell was helping a friend when firefighters said a fire started inside a bedroom just after 7:15 p.m. Sunday.

A neighbor tried to save Mary Howell but the smoke was too thick.

Howell said Mary Howell had 48 surgeries for different medical issues and was confined to a wheelchair for the last six years.

“There's nothing anyone could do for her,” Howell said. “I know she's in a better place and it'll be OK.”

Paramedics took the neighbor who tried to save Mary Howell to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation. He's expected to recover.

Officials are still investigating the cause of the fire.


About the Author:

Dawn Jorgenson, Graham Media Group Branded Content Managing Editor, began working with the group in April 2013. She graduated from Texas State University with a degree in electronic media.