KCSO: Deadly Fire in North Knox County Likely Caused by Smoking Near Oxygen

One dead in fire on Fort Sumter Rd. (Courtesy: WVLT)

KCSO: Deadly Fire in North Knox County Likely Caused by Smoking Near Oxygen

One dead in fire on Fort Sumter Rd. (Courtesy: WVLT)

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) We’re learning more now about the cause of a deadly fire early Wednesday morning in North Knox County.

Officials with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office say 66 year-old Karen Sue Rutledge of Knoxville died in a house fire on Fort Sumter Road.

They say the sheriff’s office and Rural Metro Fire responded to the single-wide home after neighbors called about it around 3:00 a.m. after hearing an explosion.

KCSO reports investigators were initially unable to determine the cause of the fire since the house was so damaged; however, based on witnesses and family statements, they say it is likely the blaze was started because someone was smoking near an oxygen tank.