IT was the “date from hell”, says Erica Odle. What started with films and cuddling in bed turned into a terrifying fight for survival when a house fire broke out.
Selfless Erica bravely to save her date’s baby sister, burned 75 per cent of her body and nearly died. Then, shockingly, her date ghosted her after she woke from a coma.
Erica Odle, 28, agreed to a quiet date at the man’s home after they were introduced by a mutual friendCredit: True Life Stories
But hours later, she woke to screams from her date’s younger brotherCredit: True Life Stories
Erica, who has been left disabled and unable to work since the fire, tells : “It was a first date from hell. I was extremely unlucky to have slept at his house that night.
“After I woke from the coma, and saved his sister’s life, he completely ghosted me. It was disgusting.”
The 28-year-old was working as a stock taker when she agreed to a casual, quiet date night at a man’s home after they were introduced by a mutual friend.
Erica says: “His parents were going out and he was watching his younger sister, 8, brother, 7, and baby sister, 2.
“Because they were there, I felt comfortable and safe.
“Rather than going on an awkward date at a restaurant, we watched TV, listened to music, and got to know each other. It was nice.
“I played games with his little siblings and after watching films together, we all fell asleep on my date’s bed.”
But hours later, Erica woke up to the sound of screams. She saw her date’s young brother yelling that a .
Erica says: “I saw flames down the corridor. My heart just sank. I shook my date awake.
Erica courageously carried the baby out the bedroom window, which was on the ground floorCredit: True Life Stories
“As he woke up the others, I realised the fire was twice the size and heading towards us.
“Immediately, my first instinct was the children. I didn’t even know them, but their lives mattered more than ours.
“He grabbed his brother and sister, while I picked up his baby sister, the two-year-old.
“The three of them ran out but as I tried to follow behind, holding the baby, the flames spread to the bedroom doorway.
“It rose up to the ceiling and soon, half of the room was engulfed in flames.
I was confused as I thought I was in the ambulance. But Dad told me I’d been in a coma for three months
Erica Odle
“I looked at her little face as she was crying. I realised it was me or her, so I decided to save her.”
Erica courageously carried the baby out the bedroom window, which luckily was on the ground floor. Smoke filled Erica’s lungs and she couldn’t breathe.
She says: “As I got his sister to safety, I was hyperventilating and thought I was going to die.
Erica, pictured, with her dad in hospital, writhed in pain, screaming on the grass, as she waited for an ambulanceCredit: True Life Stories
“The flames hit my skin and I was howling. I finally climbed out of the window myself, then saw my skin melting onto the grass.
“I was screaming, ‘Help me!’ as I collapsed. The whole house was on fire.”
Erica’s date and his four siblings, who were unharmed, banged on the neighbour’s doors for help whilst Erica writhed in pain, screaming, as she waited for an ambulance.
After 30 minutes, emergency services arrived and Erica blacked out.
She was blue-lighted to Mercy Hospital St. Louis, three hours away from her hometown in the US state of .
Erica says: “When I next opened my eyes, my dad was looking at me in a hospital room.
“I was confused as I thought I was in the ambulance. But Dad told me I’d been in a coma for three months.
“It felt like I’d closed my eyes for a few minutes.”
Unbeknownst to Erica, she’d been in an after suffering on 75 per cent of her body.
I was told how lucky I was to be alive and that all the doctors and surgeons thought I was going to die
Erica
Her father, Eric Odle, 48, a car detailer owner, had been by her side for months.
He broke the that she had suffered burns almost everywhere, except her face and groin.
What’s more, 85 per cent of Erica’s lungs were damaged by smoke inhalation, she’d had a and two in her legs.
She’d undergone multiple , taken from all over her body.
She also received – human skin donated from deceased donors.
Erica says: “I was beside myself. I kept crying that this couldn’t be happening.
“I was told how lucky I was to be alive and that all the doctors and surgeons thought I was going to die.
“I then panicked about my date and his siblings. I hoped they were okay.
Erica also suffered a heart attack, two blood clots and 85 per cent of her lungs were damaged by smokeCredit: True Life Stories
“I asked Dad and to my relief, they were all unharmed. But when I asked Dad if they’d been visiting, he looked uncomfortable.
“He said they hadn’t visited once. He wouldn’t even answer his calls or texts.
“I quickly tried to video-call my date to tell him I was awake, but there was no answer.
“He completely ghosted me. I was very shocked. This guy didn’t care if I was alive or not.
“The fire was at his house and I’d saved his little sister’s life.
“I couldn’t comprehend how someone could be so cruel. I broke down crying.”
After her date’s choice to ghost her, despite her saving his little sister’s life, Erica concentrated on her recovery.
Burns 101
Your skin has three layers.
The outer layer (epidermis), the dermis (which contains vessels, nerves, hair follicles) and the deeper layer of fat (subcutis).
A full thickness burn is when all layers of skin are damaged, while a superficial burn is when only the top layer has been affected.
The NHS says to treat a burn:
- Immediately get the person away from the heat source
- Remove any clothing or jewellery, including babies’ nappies, but do not move anything that’s stuck to the skin
- Cool the burn with cool or lukewarm running water for 20 to 30 minutes – do not use ice, iced water, or any creams or greasy substances like butter
- Make sure the person keeps warm by using a blanket, for example
- After cooling the burn, cover the burn by placing a layer of cling film over it – a clean plastic bag could also be used for burns on your hand
- Use painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen
- Raise the affected area if possible to reduce swelling
- If it’s an acid or chemical burn, dial 999, carefully try to remove the chemical and any contaminated clothing, and rinse the affected area using as much clean water as possible
You should go to a hospital A&E department for:
- All chemical and electrical burns
- Large or deep burns – any burn bigger than the injured person’s hand
- Burns that cause white or charred skin – any size
- Burns on the face, neck, hands, feet, any joints or genitals
Source: NHS
Weeks later, Erica’s nurses undressed her bandages for a bath and she saw her burned skin for the first time.
Erica says: “It was red, raw and ruined. I was sobbing that my life was over. I hated my body and had never felt so ugly.
“But after a while, I had to keep telling myself that it was a miracle I was alive. I had to be grateful as I’d been moments away from death.”
Amazingly, Erica recovered and each day, she underwent extensive rehab, re-learning to walk, eat and write again.
After nearly four months in hospital, Erica was discharged in April 2022.
She says: “I had to use a Zimmer frame. I fell into a deep .
“If I went out in public, I would have anxiety attacks. My scars healed but people stared everywhere.
“Some looked shocked and would ask what had happened. I’d tell them I was in a fire, it was so humiliating.
After nearly four months in hospital, Erica was discharged. Pictured, with her fiancé, Billy after the birth of their daughter NavayihCredit: True Life Stories
“As time went on, I got stronger, mentally and physically. I learned to love myself again.
“Now, today, I still haven’t heard from my date since the fire. It’s horrendous how someone can be so cold.
“I’ve since discovered the fire was electrical. It was extremely unlucky I slept there that night.
“But I’m also extremely lucky to be alive.
“I’m not ashamed of my scars anymore. They’re proof that I’m a .
“I’ve also since found love again, with my fiancé, Billy. He makes me feel beautiful.
“We’ve got a one-year-old daughter, Navayih. And we welcomed a baby boy, William, in September.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
