Firefighters from the Oak Ridge Fire Department (ORFD) performed a rescue operation yesterday morning, saving a woman, and several pets from a house fire on Trenton Drive. WVLT-TV reported that upon their arrival, the fire crews spotted the woman waving for help from an upstairs window.
The ORFD had to use a ladder to bring the woman to safety, she was treated at the scene for mild smoke inhalation but did not require hospitalization. In a harrowing effort to ensure no life was left behind, the rescue personnel also saved three cats, two dogs, a bird, and a snake. According to WATE, some of the animals were in serious condition from smoke inhalation and were rushed to an animal hospital; with firefighters providing care en route.
The living room of the house was found to be "fully engulfed in fire" but the firefighters successfully extinguished the flames, as explained by WBIR. Post-rescue, both the human and animal survivors received medical attention; the woman was cleared by Anderson County Emergency Medical Services at the scene.
While the saved pets were given "lifesaving medical care," sadly, the house sustained significant damage, according to WBIR. The American Red Cross is assisting the occupants with temporary housing in the fire's aftermath. The cause of the, fire is still under investigation as officials examine the remains to piece together the sequence of events that led to this incident.
