Two women were killed and a third victim was injured in a house fire in South Nashville.
Those who passed were identified by authorities as 64-year-old Charlene Sinor and 60-year-old Pamela Fort. The injured victim has been identified as Charlene's twin sister, Charlotte Cosgrove.
Officials confirmed Sinor was found dead at the scene. Fort passed away after being taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. They added Cosgrove had non-life threatening injuries and was expected to survive.
Emergency crews were called to the home at 354 Leo Lane just before 5:30 p.m.
“They were all three best friends, they were like the Golden Girls. I mean just, they would do anything for each other,” said Ellen Fort, fire victim's daughter. She also told NewsChannel 5, "When mom [Pamela] saw they hadn’t gotten Charlene out, she went back in and couldn’t get her.”
Around 30 firefighters had to attack the fire from all angles.
"So you have firefighters on a side driveway fighting it from below, then you have more firefighters fighting it from the ground level, and then we have firefighters on the roof also trying to vent it so this was an incredibly active, dangerous scene," said Metro Fire Spokesperson Brian Haas.
Investigators said the fire was accidental and was caused by a short in an aging electrical box in the basement.
Authorities also said they were unable to find any smoke alarms in the home.
Firefighters stressed every home needs to have working smoke alarms which are tested monthly. They added batteries should be replaced when the time changes twice a year. Smoke alarms should be replaced every ten years.
