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'No words for the pain': Mother released from the hospital, mourns loss of daughter killed in Cumberland County house fire

Faith Adkins, 25, was released earlier this month from the UNC Burn Clinic in Chapel Hill. Two of Adkins' children suffered burns in the house fire. Her 6-year-old daughter Allayna died.

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By
Gilbert Baez
, WRAL Fayetteville reporter
LINDEN, N.C. — A Cumberland County mother burned trying to pull her children from their burning home just before Christmas is out of the hospital.

Faith Adkins, 25, was released earlier this month from the UNC Burn Clinic in Chapel Hill. She suffered burns and smoke inhalation.

Two of Adkins' children suffered burns in the house fire on Carlspond Road in Linden. Her 6-year-old daughter Allayna died.

"To lose your baby, [there are] no words for the pain," Adkins said. "There are no words that are made up to describe this agony and pain that is all [day], every day."

Allayna Woods, 6, died at the hospital. Her mother, Faith Adkins, and two siblings -- Noah Woods, 4, and Emma Woods, 2 -- were taken to the UNC burn center in Chapel Hill.
Investigators said the accidental electrical fire on Dec. 21, 2022, started near the kitchen. Adkins says as she looks back, the events that night are crystal clear, but while it was going on it was one big blur.

"Somehow, I was outside of my house, and then, the next thing I know, I see my house on fire," Adkins said. "With no hesitation, I got back into the burning house. I had my two children left inside. I wasn't going to stop."

Adkins had already pulled her 4-year-old son to safety. But 2-year-old Emma and her big sister Allayna were still inside.

"I climbed back up and started beating on the window more and tried to get in, and couldn't get in and the fire was collapsing over top of me," Adkins said.

Adkins suffered burns and smoke inhalation and says it will take months, if not years, to fully recover. She has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from strangers who have donated to the family's GoFundMe page.

"All the prayers have really been amazing," Adkins said. "I truly appreciate everyone who have donated more than they can imagine."

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