KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — One person was reported to have died from her injuries after a blocked heater caused a house fire in East Knoxville, according to Knoxville Fire Department Asst. Chief Mark Wilbanks.

According to an investigation, three victims were taken to a hospital, including one injured firefighter. However, Wilbanks said a female victim has died.

The fire department released on Dec. 23 that the house fire was ruled an accident and appeared to have been caused by items against a wall heater. According to Knoxville Fire, when the unit turned on, the items caught fire.

A wall heater similar to the one firefighters believes caused the house fire. (Courtesy of Knoxville Fire Department)

“We ask everyone, especially those living in homes with wall heaters, to please make sure these heaters have adequate space in front and that nothing is touching the metal surface of the heater. These heaters have a knob with a “low” and a “high” setting and most do not “turn off” when turned to the lowest setting. When the area experiences temperatures like we will this weekend, it is likely these heaters will turn on and could cause a fire if there is not enough space in front of the unit. The only way to ensure these units are “off” is to have an electrician isolate the unit from the breaker box or fuse panel,” Knoxville Fire said.

Around 10:30 a.m., the Knoxville Fire responded to the 300 block of Dallas Street in East Knoxville. Firefighters said they arrived to find heavy smoke and fire coming from the front of the house. There was a person who was attempting to rescue another person trapped on the second-floor window.

Crews quickly put up a ladder and assisted the person from the second floor, according to the Knoxville Fire. Firefighters said they discovered that a child had already been removed from the home and one more adult could still be inside the house. As crews battled the blaze, firefighters searched the house and found the third person.

  • (Knoxville Fire Department)
  • (Knoxville Fire Department)

The fire department said that all three people and a firefighter were taken to the hospital. The conditions of the three occupants were not immediately available and the injuries to the firefighter were described as non-life threatening.

EDITORS NOTE: This story has been updated with new information.