CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Firefighters responded to a house fire Tuesday around 2:30 p.m. in the Woodlawn area off Chester Harris Road. The fire consumed the entire home, and emergency crews have determined it a total loss.
Details on the fire are unknown at this time. As of 6:00 p.m. crews were still working to put out hot spots. The investigation has not yet begun.
A 14-year-old boy is believed to have been home alone at the time. He made it out safely. The family pets were not as lucky.
According to eyewitness accounts, it was around 2:00 p.m. when neighbors began to smell smoke. After inspecting their home and their business, Animal Guest House, Jana Aydelott-Yarbrough, and her husband, James went over to the neighbor’s home.
Noticing children’s shoes on the porch Jana began knocking on the door. The 14-year-old boy opened the door. He tried to go back in for his dog. However, Jana and her husband determined it was unsafe and pulled him out of the home. After getting the boy a safe distance from the home, they provided medical attention until EMS arrived. His mother and father arrived as they were putting him into the ambulance. The mother accompanied the child to Tennova.
Crews from the Woodlawn Volunteer Fire Department, Palmyra Rescue Squad, and Cunningham Volunteer Fire Department were all present and worked to put out the blaze.
The American Red Cross of Tennessee River has provided assistance to meet the immediate needs of the family. Caseworkers will be following up to identify other needs as the situation progresses.