James Island woman dies from injuries in Howle Street fire

A James Island woman who was severely burned in a house fire has died from her injuries, Charleston County Deputy Coroner Brittney Martin said today.

Theressa McKeithan, 74, of Howle Avenue, died early Wednesday morning, Martin said.

McKeithan had been in the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta since the fire. Her husband, Blanchard McKeithan, 75, also had severe burns and was a patient at the burn center. He was discharged today, said Olena Scarborough, the hospital's marketing director.

About 3 a.m. on Oct. 19, firefighters pulled McKeithan out of her home after they found her in a wheelchair in a bedroom. Her husband crawled out of a window after he and their grandson attempted to remove her from the house, according to an incident report.

Kevin McKeithan, 21, told Charleston County sheriff's deputies that he woke up when he heard the fire alarm and saw that the rear of the house was on fire. He woke up his grandparents, but they couldn't get her out of the house because she is disabled, according to the report.

Kevin McKeithan was treated for smoke inhalation at Medical University Hospital.

The house was destroyed by the fire.

A fund to help the McKeithans has been established. Contributions can be made at any S.C. Federal Credit Union branch office.