Two employees from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff became accidental heroes last week when a few wrong turns put them in the right place at the right time.

Kisha Long and Tammy Chapman rescued a 96-year-old, wheelchair-bound man from a house fire on Collegiate Drive at about 3 p.m. Jan. 25.

Chapman can’t explain the events that led them to Tolbert Woods’ door that day — other than divine intervention.

“I know that God just orchestrated every [step of the way],” Chapman said. “If it had been two or three minutes either way, we might not have seen him in that door [trying to get out of his burning house].”

The two women work in the School of Business and Management at UAPB. They set out on a simple errand that they’ve done many times before: Driving across campus to pick up the rosters from the administration building.

“Normally, only one or the other of us goes, but for some reason, we decided we were both going to go,” Chapman said. “I don’t know why — well, I know now.”

Chapman was driving and — unbelievably, in an area she drives every day — missed the turn. She had three immediate places to turn around, but missed the first one of those as well.
 

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Fire Chief Dannie Smith presents Lakiesha Long (center) and Tammy Chapman (right) with Heroic Rescue certificates at Monday’s City Council meeting for their part in rescuing a 96-year-old man from a fire.