GALLATIN, Tenn. – Gallatin fire officials have identified the woman killed Monday morning in a fire at a shoe store on Water Avenue. She is the store's owner, Doris J. Hamby.
Officials said the fire broke out around 5 a.m. at the Shoe Repair in the Square. Hamby lived in an apartment in the back of the store. She was sleeping when flames broke out. Firefighters believe she died from smoke inhalation.
Neighbors and long-time customers gathered near the store. The woman's relatives ran to comfort each other.
Fire investigators are working to determine what caused the fire. They believe it started with a portable fan, but are unsure of waht caused it to catch fire. Firefighters said it's likely the blaze started near the middle business and quickly spread throughout.
The building is more than 100 years old. It was a once a saloon and has been a shoe repair shop since the 1960s.
This is the 6th fire fatality in Gallatin in 2011.
