Tonya Cockrell : Fulton Woman Rescued from House Fire Suffers Third-Degree Burns – Southwest Arkansas Radio

On Monday night, at around 8:41 pm, Hempstead County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a distressing call about a structure fire at a residence on Highway 67 West in Fulton. Deputy Kyle Malone and Sergeant Derick Bunn were informed by a concerned neighbour who had dialed 911, reporting that a woman in the house was on fire and had sustained significant burns.

Upon arrival, Deputy Malone was informed by a member of the Fulton Volunteer Fire Department that the victim, identified as 35-year-old Tonya Cockrell, had suffered second and third-degree burns across a large part of her body. Tonya was quickly transported to Christus St. Michael’s Hospital in Texarkana, Texas by Pafford EMS and later transferred to the burn unit at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Her current condition is listed as critical.

Medical personnel at St. Michael’s reported that Tonya Cockrell disclosed to them that her husband, Bruce Cockrell, had allegedly doused her with weed-eater gas and set her on fire. She recounted a harrowing ordeal where Bruce had physically assaulted her, verbally abused her, and then proceeded to ignite the gasoline on her body. The incident report details Tonya’s account of the events, including Bruce’s actions leading up to the alleged attack.

Bruce Cockrell has since been taken into custody and charged with Domestic Battery in the first degree. As the investigation unfolds, additional charges may be brought against him in connection with this tragic incident.