BEAUMONT, Texas — A woman has died following an early morning house fire in Port Neches.
Firefighters from the Port Neches fire Department were sent to a reported house fire at about 3:15 a.m. Wednesday morning according to Assistant Fire Chief Tyler Hebert.
A neighbor, Steve Fuller was awoken by flashing red and blue lights and sirens at the home next door.
"I could smell smoke a little bit," Fuller said. "I could see flames from inside one of the bedrooms in the house."
When firefighters arrived they found a son and his mom suffering from burns Hebert told 12News.
"When they were approaching the house, they actually found out that all the occupants were outside of the house on their arrival. So that was a very fortunate thing," Hebert said.
The mother, identified by Hebert as 62-year-old Susan Hinson of Port Neches, had severe burns while her son, who got Hinson out of the house, had burned his hand.
Medics treated him at the scene of the fire and Hinson was taken by ambulance to a Southeast Texas hospital and later died.
Hinson was wheelchair bound.
Port Neches Police are assisting the fire marshal with the fire investigation.
Firefighters tell 12News more lives could have been lost if the residents didn't have working smoke detectors.
Upon investigating, firefighters learned that the fire broke out in a bedroom and it was a working fire alarm that alerted the residents.
Hebert says it's important for everyone to create an exit plan in case of a fire.
"Look out for one another, if you're able to help," said Fuller.
Hebert tells 12News it's important to reach out to reach out to your fire department to help create an escape plan.
"If you have a significant concern for getting out in an emergency, contact the fire department. They can help create, you know, a plan for you," Hebert said. "Reaching out to your neighbors, have an emergency contacts on hand."
When Fuller first discovered the fire, he was concerned about his and his wife's safety.
"My wife in her condition, she hasn't walked in 20 something odd years. And I've taking care of her for the past few years has been my full-time job since I retired," said Fuller.
Firefighters from Nederland and Groves were also sent to the fire.
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.