David Lance Freemon, BHS 1974

David Lance Freemon, BHS 1974____ Man dies of injuries suffered in 12-foot leap escaping fire____ Forth Worth-Star Telegram, Thursday, November 23, 1996 - Richland Hills, TX - A 39-year-old Richland Hills electronics technician died Tuesday after suffering injuries from jumping 12 feet from a second-story window to escape a fire early Saturday. David L. Freemon died at North Hills Hospital in North Richland Hills from internal injuries, officials said. Freemon jumped from his apartment at 6637 Bridges Ave, after it caught fire about 2:45 a.m. Saturday, fire officials said. "It is really out of the norm," Richland Hills Fire Chief Greg Tucker said. "Our investigators were talking with the man the day after the fire. He was in some pain, but it didn't seem like the injuries were that serious." Tarrant County medical examiners said Freemon died as a result of lung injuries related to multiple broken ribs. Tucker said the window was 12 feet above the ground at the spot where fire fighters found Freemon. Dispatchers for the Fire Department received the first call on the fire about 2:48 a.m., Tucker said. Three engines arrived at the scene at 2:50 a.m. and found Freemon at 2:55 a.m. "Firefighters searched the building, and everything looked OK." Tucker said. "They discovered a victim outside between the buildings." A neighbor heard shattering glass, caused by Freemon's escape, and called 911, according to reports. A North Richland Hills ambulance crew started treating Freemon at 3 a.m., Tucker said. The fire remains under investigation, but Tucker said it may have been caused by a burning cigarette. Firefighters from Richland Hills, North Richland Hills and Haltom City responded to the blaze, which was contained to one apartment.