Tammy Dodson died 10 days after suffering severe burns at a Prescott Valley home, while police continue investigating the incident.
PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. — A 58-year-old Arizona mother and Veterans Affairs health care worker died one day before her 59th birthday after suffering severe burns in a backyard fire-pit incident that remains under investigation, authorities and her family said.
Tammy Dodson died Oct. 4 at the Diane & Bruce Halle Arizona Burn Center at Valleywise Health in Phoenix, 10 days after emergency crews responded to a home on East Tracy Drive in Prescott Valley. Police said the Sept. 24 incident occurred while someone was attempting to relight a fire pit. Gasoline was involved, according to police accounts reported by local news outlets.
Prescott Valley police and Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority crews were called to the home at about 10:45 p.m. after a 911 report of a burn victim. Officers found a seriously injured woman in the backyard, according to police information cited by KTAR and FOX 10 Phoenix. She was taken to a Phoenix-area burn center for treatment. A man at the property was also injured but did not require hospitalization, police said.
Relatives later identified the woman as Dodson, though KTAR reported that police had not publicly confirmed her identity as of Friday. FOX 10, citing family members and police information, reported that Dodson suffered burns over 53% of her body. Authorities have not publicly released a complete account of how the fire started or identified the other injured person.
FOX 10 reported that police were told gasoline was poured as the fire pit was being relit, leading to a sudden ignition. Police have continued investigating the exact sequence of events and have not announced whether anyone will face criminal charges. The department also has not publicly identified the man who was injured at the scene.
Dodson spent nearly 10 days receiving intensive treatment at the burn center, according to her family. FOX 10 reported that relatives traveled from several states to be with her during her hospitalization. Her condition later worsened, and Dodson died Oct. 4, the day before she would have turned 59.
Her family described Dodson as a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend whose career centered on caring for others. A family fundraiser says she worked as a certified nursing assistant with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Organizer Kristine Valentine described Dodson as the “light of our family” and said her children and grandchildren were central to her life.
Valentine told FOX 10 that the family wanted Dodson to be remembered for more than the circumstances of her death. She described her as deeply loved by relatives and members of the community and said her death had left the family grieving a woman who remained an important part of many lives.
A fundraiser established for Dodson’s family says money raised will help cover costs connected to her medical care, funeral and celebration of life. The family said Dodson endured severe injuries for 10 days while relatives remained at her side and hoped she would recover.
Prescott Valley police continue to investigate the Sept. 24 incident. Authorities have not publicly released a final account of what caused the fire-pit ignition or said whether charges are expected. Police have asked anyone with information about the case to contact investigators.