OAK RIDGE, Tenn. — A 92-year-old woman has died following a house fire that occurred early in the morning on January 16 on Sheridan Circle in Oak Ridge. The victim has been identified as Nancy Santos.
According to City of Oak Ridge officials, the fire broke out around 3:00 a.m. that day, prompting a call for help from Santos’ daughter. Fire crews responded quickly and were able to rescue Santos from the home, but she later died from her injuries after being transported to the University of Tennessee Medical Center.
In addition to Santos, 12 pets were in the home at the time of the fire, including 10 cats and two dogs. Officials confirmed that only three of the cats were rescued, with no word yet on the fate of the dogs.
Firefighters who responded to the scene also suffered injuries while trying to assist the woman. The City of Oak Ridge has not released further details about their conditions.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, and authorities are working to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the tragic event.
