Survivor’s Story: Woman reflects on deadly fire 9 years later
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – It’s been almost a decade since an apartment fire in Columbus claimed a child’s life. Deja Jones almost fell victim to that same fire.
Nine years later, she said the memories are still vivid as ever
“Because of them, I owe my life,” said Jones.
Nine years ago, the 2014 Jamestown apartment fire changed Deja Jones’ life forever. She was only 14 years old when Columbus Fire and Rescue saved her from a collapsed burning building.
“It was early in the morning, like the middle of the night and everyone had gotten out before the fire got big. And my mom had to bust to the window to let people know we were still in there. They got my siblings out and my mom out but didn’t realize I was still in there,” said Jones.
Deja was trapped by the burning flames and unconscious from smoke inhalation. She had nowhere to go.
“A family friend realized ‘Hey, we’re missing a person here’. And these guys, even though the building collapsed, but that didn’t stop them,” said Jones.
Once the firefighters knew a child was left behind, they went back in.
“I’m sure they have protocols and everything, they still went in, got me out,” said Jones.
She was flown to Lebonheur Hospital in Memphis and woke up three weeks later from a coma.
Jones said her experience didn’t define her as a person, but it definitely defined her resilience.
“And just going through that in life, it’s made me stronger. It’s not a part of me. It is something that happened to me but it’s not who I am. But it’s let me know that no matter what happens, I can get through it. I have the strength to do it. Especially when I have a support system behind me,” said Jones.
BTN Chief Wes Mims helped save Deja. He said her survival story is a fairytale but it’s a positive reminder that the work firemen do is worth the risk.
“It’s not always a happy ending to a lot of these stories and it’s so good to see people that you’ve helped in the past, especially Deja’s story. To see her later on in life, it does us a lot of good too,” said Mims.
Jones volunteers with Columbus Fire and Rescue for fundraisers and events whenever she gets the chance.
