Expand / Collapse search
☰
Freeze Watch
from SUN 12:00 AM MST until SUN 9:00 AM MST, Southeast Gila County
10
Freeze Watch
from SAT 12:00 AM MST until SAT 9:00 AM MST, Southeast Gila County
Freeze Watch
from SAT 1:00 AM MST until SUN 9:00 AM MST, Upper Gila River and Aravaipa Valleys including Clifton/Safford, Eastern Cochise County below 5000 ft including Douglas/Wilcox, Upper San Pedro River Valley including Sierra Vista/Benson
Wind Advisory
from FRI 5:00 AM MST until FRI 5:00 PM MST, Parker Valley
Wind Advisory
from FRI 11:00 AM MST until FRI 6:00 PM MST, Upper Gila River and Aravaipa Valleys including Clifton/Safford, Dragoon/Mule/Huachuca and Santa Rita Mountains including Bisbee/Canelo Hills/Madera Canyon, Upper San Pedro River Valley including Sierra Vista/Benson, Eastern Cochise County below 5000 ft including Douglas/Wilcox, White Mountains of Graham and Greenlee Counties including Hannagan Meadow, Chiricahua Mountains including Chiricahua National Monument, Galiuro and Pinaleno Mountains including Mount Graham, Southeast Gila County, Globe/Miami, San Carlos
Wind Advisory
from FRI 5:00 AM MST until FRI 6:00 PM MST, Eastern Mogollon Rim, White Mountains, Little Colorado River Valley in Apache County, Little Colorado River Valley in Navajo County
Winter Weather Advisory
from FRI 12:00 PM MDT until SUN 6:00 AM MDT, Chuska Mountains and Defiance Plateau
Winter Weather Advisory
from THU 11:00 PM MST until SAT 11:00 AM MST, Kaibab Plateau
Wind Advisory
from FRI 12:00 AM MST until FRI 11:00 PM MST, Northwest Deserts, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Lake Havasu and Fort Mohave
Air Quality Alert
until FRI 9:00 PM MST, Pinal County

Deaf woman killed in Surprise fire; family urges deaf-friendly fire alarms

By
Updated  January 26, 2024 9:55pm MST
Surprise
FOX 10 Phoenix

SURPRISE, Ariz. - New information on the death of a deaf woman in Surprise was released on Jan. 26.

The woman, Cynthia Minter, was killed in a house fire two weeks ago. The home reportedly did not have special smoke detectors with lights that can alert a deaf person to an emergency.

According to Minter's family, she was found next to her bed. Family members previously had a conversation with her about updating her smoke detectors with flashing lights, but Minter thought they would be too expensive.

Meanwhile, the family is picking up the pieces after the deadly fire.

"There is very little left to [keep], but we are going to try," said Grace Minter.

Grace is Minter's daughter, along with Bonnie Minter Biser. In her life, Minter had left a positive mark on many people she met. 

"No matter the distance, she would bring us together with hugs and kisses," said Bonnie.

Family remembers deaf woman killed in fire

The fire that killed 82-year-old Cynthia Minter happened in January, and her family is remembering the life of a deaf woman who left a positive mark on the many people she met over the years. FOX 10's Brian Webb reports.

Minter was 82 when she died, Born deaf, she became a social butterfly, and had a long career at American Express. Later in life, Minter loved arts and crafts, as well as crossword puzzles. She was devoted to her husband for 57 years, and taught her daughters to embrace being deaf, and not be ashamed of it.

"Mom always made us feel proud that we are deaf, of our community and our family," said Bonnie. "We have a rich history of deafness in our family."

The family is sad, but vows to move forward, just like Cynthia would’ve wanted.

"We do miss her always in our hearts and mind, and with lovely, wonderful memories," said Bonnie. "I'm sure Mom would want us to keep moving forward. She believed and moving forward when dad passed away. We’re going to take it. We’re gonna move forward in a positive way. "

The family is also urging government, businesses, schools and more to install smoke detectors with flashing lights, so that the deaf community knows when an emergency is happening.