Elderly Williamsburg woman severely burned in early-morning mobile home fire

An elderly Williamsburg woman had to be airlifted to a Knoxville hospital early Thursday morning after being severely burned during a structure fire just outside of town.

Wanda Shelton, 61, of Watts Creek Road, suffered severe burns to a large portion of her upper body, Williamsburg Public Affairs Officer Shawn Jackson said in a press release.

Whitley County EMS transported Shelton to the Whitley County Airport. Air Evac Lifeteam then airlifted her to the University of Tennessee Medical Center for treatment.

The mobile home fire at 486 Watts Creek Road was reported to Whitley County 911 shortly before 3 a.m.
3-Point Volunteer Fire Department arrived at the scene, and called for assistance from the Woodbine Volunteer Fire Department and the Williamsburg Fire Department.

Williamsburg Police Sgt. Mike Taylor arrived at the scene within five minutes of the fire being reported by 911 dispatchers.
He and Officer Jason Strunk found the woman lying outside the home next to the burning structure going in and out of consciousness.

"Sgt. Mike Taylor and Officer Jason Strunk acted very quickly removing the female victim from the danger of being burnt further," Jackson wrote.

Emergency personnel were on the scene for nearly three hours. The residence suffered major fire and smoke damage.