Fire victims remain in Grady burn unit

“They both are still in the ICU,” said William Hodges, brother of victim Joseph Hodges. “They both have tracheotomies. Joseph has awakened, she (Michelle Williamson) has not.”

Commerce fire officials pulled both from the burning building. Hodges was near the back and Williamson close to the front of the structure.
“Both have some brain damage, but they are not sure of the extent,” said William Hodges, who said the breathing of carbon dioxide or other fumes likely caused that damage.

William Hodges offered a possible explanation as to why his brother was less severely injured than Williamson.

“From the stories we heard, my brother was not in the building (at the time the fire started),” he explained. “Michelle was. When he came back, he rushed in to find her and he was overcome. That’s why she is hurt more than he is.”

William Hodges cautioned that that version of events is unverified.

According to William Hodges, Joseph Hodges suffered minor burns to his left ear, the left side of his throat and his right hand, while Williamson has second and third degree burns from her shoulders up and on both hands “like she was trying to pat out the fire.”

There have been conflicting reports as to why the two were in the building. Fire officials called the victims “homeless,” but the families of the victims say they lived in the building, paying rent for the privilege. The building, used until a couple of weeks before the fire to manufacture furniture, had no cooking or bathing facilities. The owner, Oliver Waters, has reportedly said the two were no longer living there and should not have been in the building.

“It’s been an awful few weeks,” acknowledged William Hodges. “If they come through it, it’ll make it all worth it.”