By Jessica Greene, Tribune Correspondent

A woman died Friday morning following a house fire in the 5700 block of Old Russellville Pike in Hamblen County.

The East Hamblen County Volunteer Fire Department responded to the blaze along with the Hamblen County Sheriff’s Office. Firefighters entered the home in an attempt to rescue the victim, but efforts were complicated by multiple structural and roof collapses inside the residence.

Crews were able to remove the woman and her two dogs from the home. However, the woman later succumbed to her injuries.

Several additional agencies assisted at the scene, including the Morristown Fire Department, Bulls Gap Volunteer Fire Department, and Lakeview Volunteer Fire Department.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

According to East Hamblen County Volunteer Fire Department officials, the incident marks the first fatal fire in the department’s district in 13 years.