Clarksville woman dies after house fire

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – A Clarksville woman who was dragged from her burning home by two neighbors and revived by emergency workers died at a Nashville hospital Tuesday night.

Barbara Eckman, 71, was not breathing when Clarksville firefighters and police arrived at about 10:10 a.m. Tuesday. Two police officers gave her CPR, and EMS workers revived her, said Fire Marshal Ray Williams.

Eckman was taken first to Gateway Medical Center and then flown to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.

Williams learned Wednesday that Eckman died from her injuries Tuesday night. She was not burned but apparently suffered major smoke inhalation before collapsing at her door.

He said she was a widow who lived alone, and the fire apparently started in a bedroom used for storage. The cause may be electrical, but the fire remained under investigation, he said.

Williams said Eckman and her late husband had no children of their own but were actively involved in Boy Scout activities. She was especially close to Troop 536.

She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. She will be buried in Pennsylvania, he said. She has a brother there.

Stephanie Ingersoll, 245-0267

City government and crime

singersoll@theleafchronicle.com

Twitter: @StephLeaf