Fire Cause: Undetermined but Accidental

With her around her, Sandra Brawn had the presence of mind to call 911 in the predawn hours yesterday to alert police to her emergency.

 She didn’t talk on the call. But by leaving an open line, as it is known, she allowed Dispatcher Gary Messenger to send police to the scene.

Then she jumped about 12 feet from her second-story window to the landing below.

Keeping her cool as fire raged may have come from years of exposure to the science of firefighting. Her late husband, James, was a captain in the Her son, James R. Brawn Jr., is a second lieutenant out of the North Grafton station.

Mrs. Brawn remains hospitalized as of this morning.

The cause of the fire is accidental but the specific cause may never be known, Fire Chief Michael P. Gauthier said. Arson has been ruled out, he said.