CHEROKEE, AL (WAFF) -
Father rescues autistic daughter from burning home
A special needs teen is fighting for her life after being rescued from her burning home.
Her father was among the rescuers who pulled her from the burning home on Moody Lane in Cherokee.
Friends close to the family said 19-year-old Kimberly Pounders is in critical condition at UAB's Burn Center.
According to the Facebook page they created, friends said the teen is no longer breathing on her own.
Officials said the teen suffers from autism and was asleep in her bed when the fire broke out.
The mobile home was destroyed. All that is left is mangled metal and a skeleton of what once was a home.
Sunday's fire was so intense it scorched the trees and even burned a shed and pickup truck parked out back.
First responders started CPR on Pounders at the scene. She was then airlifted to UAB's Burn Center.
Cherokee Rescue Director Matt Moore said the fire is affecting everyone in the small, close-knit community.
First responders are calling the girl's father a hero.
Rescue officials said 40-year-old Charles Pounders used an ax to bust a hole in the side of their mobile home to get to his daughter.
He then went inside the burning home and pulled her to safety.
He then helped first responders start CPR at the scene.
Crews said Charles was treated for minor burns at the scene.
They said they're thankful he was able to get back outside the home with his daughter in his arms.
State fire marshals are investigating the fire.
Officials said the fire spread quickly throughout the home - destroying everything in sight.
They do not have an exact cause at this time but are looking into the home's electrical system.
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This is all that is left of the mobile home that caught fire on Moody Lane in Cherokee.
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