An Oak Ridge woman and several pets are safe after a fire engulfed her home Tuesday morning.
Oak Ridge Fire Department crews responded to a report of a house on fire on Trenton Drive just before 10 a.m. Upon arrival, they discovered a woman waving from an upstairs window and had to use a ladder to rescue her from the home.
Meanwhile, other firefighters found the living room of the home fully engulfed in fire. The fire was extinguished by fire department firefighters and medical aid was delivered to the woman, who was suffering from mild smoke inhalation. She was cleared by Anderson County EMS and did not require transport to the hospital.
Firefighters also rescued 3 cats, 2 dogs, a bird, and a snake from the home. Three cats and a dog were in serious condition from the smoke. Fire Department personnel delivered lifesaving medical care and transported all animals to the Animal Hospital in their fire department vehicles with firefighters riding to provide care enroute.
The home was significantly damaged; the occupants are being temporarily housed by the Red Cross.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. No further information is available at this time.
As always, the Oak Ridge Fire Department would like to remind everyone of the importance of working smoke alarms. You can contact the Oak Ridge Fire Department for a free inspection of your smoke alarms at 865-425-FIRE (3473). More information can be found at oakridgetn.gov/fire.