Just two days after Christmas, Smithville firefighters and police responded to a tragic house fire that claimed a local woman, along with her pets. Officials say the woman succumbed to smoke inhalation after being trapped by the blaze.
On Tuesday, December 27, at 10:23 a.m., a Smithville City worker noticed smoke coming from a home at 201 Hayes Street, near NHC Healthcare. The worker notified E-911 and the Smithville Fire Department, Smithville Police, and a unit with DeKalb EMS responded to the scene.
Upon arrival, fire crew found the house with heavy black smoke in the front of the home and fire raging at the back of the structure. Firefighters attacked the blaze from both sides of the house, trying to contain the fire and keep it from spreading to other nearby structures.
At the time, authorities were unsure if anyone was inside at the time as no car was found in the driveway. It was later learned that the woman who lived there did not have a car, and a search began as soon as fire crews were able to enter the home.
After a search through the rubble, eventually authorities discovered the body of 37-year-old Brittany Schemmer. Officials say that it appeared the woman could not exit the house and had his inside a closet in the bathroom. The woman’s dog and cat were also discovered near the body.
It was later learned the Schemmer had a six-year-old daughter, but the girl had been staying at her grandparents’ house at the time of the blaze.
Fire officials say they believe the fire started in the kitchen of the home, but the incident is still under investigation. The house and all of its contents were a total loss.
On Christmas Eve, DeKalb County fire crews responded to a house fire at 596 Hurricane Ridge Road, where flames were seen coming through the roof of the home.
Authorities say they received a report of the fire at 12:42 p.m., and Main Station 59, Liberty Engine 65, Temperance Hall Engine 67, and Cookeville Highway Engine 62, and Tanker 1 responded to the scene, along with a unit with DeKalb EMS, and deputies with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department.
The home, belonging to Tania Ramsey, was a total loss. Ramsey was reportedly away on a trip at the time of the blaze.
