Monday, April 21, 2008
Fire victim taught at James Madison Middle School
The woman killed in a house fire in Botetourt County on Sunday was a "star teacher" at James Madison Middle School, Roanoke school officials said today.
Melissa Rickman, 38, taught seventh grade math at the school. She'd been a teacher there for three years, said city superintendent Rita Bishop.
The school has brought in counselors for both teachers and students, Bishop said.
"We've just lost a star teacher," she said.
Crews responded to a call on Emerald Lake Drive near Troutville shortly after 6 a.m. Sunday. They found the house fully engulfed in flames, and after extinguishing the blaze, they found a body in the debris, according to Botetourt County Sheriff Ronnie Sprinkle.
Melissa Rickman lived at the house with her husband, Anthony Rickman, and their two children, according to the sheriff's office. Anthony Rickman was at a golf tournament in North Carolina at the time of the fire, Sprinke said, the two children were at their paternal grandparents' in Chase City.
Melissa Rickman, 38, taught seventh grade math at the school. She'd been a teacher there for three years, said city superintendent Rita Bishop.
The school has brought in counselors for both teachers and students, Bishop said.
"We've just lost a star teacher," she said.
Crews responded to a call on Emerald Lake Drive near Troutville shortly after 6 a.m. Sunday. They found the house fully engulfed in flames, and after extinguishing the blaze, they found a body in the debris, according to Botetourt County Sheriff Ronnie Sprinkle.
Melissa Rickman lived at the house with her husband, Anthony Rickman, and their two children, according to the sheriff's office. Anthony Rickman was at a golf tournament in North Carolina at the time of the fire, Sprinke said, the two children were at their paternal grandparents' in Chase City.
