« Update: Threat sends N. Attleboro students home early | Today | Party's over for Cianci before it's even begun »

May 23, 2007

Update: Dad tells of trying to save son from fire / Photo

COVENTRY -- The father of Mark Holihen spoke in anguish today about trying to save his adult son from the fire that claimed his life last night.

John Holihen said he tried to pull his son from his bed in his smoke-filled bedroom.

"I tried to reach for his foot, I tried to get him out," said Holihen. At some point, he recalled, "I just said to my wife, 'Get out.'"

Mark Holihen, 50, a landscaper who graduated in 1974 from Coventry High school and an avid athlete who played fast-pitch softball, leaves behind his parents, John and Phyllis, and his brothers, James and Christopher.

He was living at his parents' ranch house at 14 Meredith Drive.

"We don't know what the cause was," said John Holihen. "He didn't smoke and he didn't light candles. I never would have expected this."

Anthony Fire District Chief Robert Warren said this morning that the fire, reported at about 9:40 last night, appeared to have been accidental. Emergency personnel are slated to hold a news conference shortly.

The parents had lived in the house for 47 years.

They had been in the living room watching television when they heard something and walked down the hallway to check on their son, Warren said.

John Holihen said he and his wife smelled smoke. He said that at first they thought it was coming from outside and not a house fire but then realized smoke was coming from the bedroom and down a hallway.

The first fire engine company to get to the house found the son in his room in the northeast corner of the house. Warren believes he was dead when they found him.

The fire was brought quickly under control and contained to the bedroom.

John and Phyllis Holihen will be placed in a hotel by the Red Cross.

Correction: An earlier report incorrectly gave the age of Mark Holihen.

-- projo.com staff writers Michael P. McKinney and Kate Bramson, with reports from Journal staff writer Lisa Vernon-Sparks

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 4:54 PM | Permalink

Comments

Scott | May 23, 2007 9:19 PM link

Post a comment

Please be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish.

Name:

Email Address:

URL:
Remember Me? YesNo

Comments: (you may use HTML tags for style)