Two elected officials in the northwest Louisiana town of Stanley suffered burns from an explosion at their home. DeSoto Parish Sheriff Rodney Arbuckle says Mayor Sharon Fletcher and her mother Dwena Henry, who is the alderman and former mayor, suffered burns on their bodies. He says the 92-year-old Henry is fighting for her life.
A third person, William Roe, also suffered burns in the explosion and should be released from the hospital today. Arbuckle says Henry suffered third-degree burns over 50-percent of her body and the town of Stanley is praying for her recovery.
Arbuckle says Henry is lucky to be alive and doctors say the next 48 hours will be critical. The sheriff says she is a vital part of the community as she’s served as mayor, now alderwoman and in February retired as the scorekeeper of the Stanley High basketball for 55 years.