Early morning trailer blaze takes the life of 64-year-old Star Valley man

Gila County Sheriff's Office reports 88-year-old woman escapes blaze that kills her son at Lamplighter RV Park

Star Valley, Wednesday, Aug. 31 - Ruth Butcher, 88, was able to escape and have a neighbor call for help early Wednesday morning when she discovered that the 5^th wheel trailer she and her son were living in was on fire. But her son, Stanley Slaughter, 64, was unable to escape the blaze due to a medical condition. 

Butcher woke up at approximately 3:20 a.m. and smelled smoke.  She opened the door, saw flames and smoke and exited the trailer. She then went to a neighbor's residence to call for assistance.  Butcher's son was found deceased in the rear portion of the trailer.

Hell’s Gate Fire dispatch received the 911 call at approximately 3:25 a.m. and Payson Fire was called for Mutual Aid assignment on the fire.  Dispatch said they had received numerous calls of a fire in the Lamplighter RV Park at 3933 E Highway 260 in Star Valley at space 115.  Sheriff’s Deputy Colt Maxwell was also dispatched to the scene.

When the fire department and Sheriff’s Deputy arrived, the trailer was fully engulfed and fire was spreading to nearby structures and trees.  It was confirmed that Slaughter had not made it out of the trailer due to his medical condition. 

Hell’s Gate Fire and Payson Fire were able to suppress the fire and keep it from damaging nearby structures. During the suppression efforts, it was confirmed that a body had been located in the rear portion of the trailer where the couch was located.  Several trees, a shed belonging to a neighbor in the rear and multiple carport tents were also damaged.

Detective Garrett and Baltz are working with fire investigators on this case to try and determine a cause of the fire.  The investigation is ongoing and updates will follow.