Victim of house fire treated for inhalation

A fire ignited at 181 Huber Clay Road Tuesday morning. The victim was treated for smoke inhalation, but no other injuries were reported.

A Bath woman who went back into her burning Huber Clay Road home to find her cat was treated for smoke inhalation Tuesday morning.

The victim was home alone when firefighters believe her cat knocked over a burning candle sitting on an end table in the living room.

"The fire climbed up the wall and caught the rest of the room on fire," said Burnettown Police Chief David B. Smith.

The homeowner tried to extinguish the fire herself but was unable to do so and left the home, officials said.

She was unable to find her cat outside and then went back inside, but she was unable to find the cat and then left the home a final time and called for help, officials said.

When firefighters arrived flames were visible, said Bath Fire Chief Sean Johnson.

The victim was being helped by neighbors, and Aiken EMS crews were called to assist and treat the woman.

Johnson said there is nothing suspicious about the fire.

There was heavy smoke, fire and water damage in the living room where the fire originated and smoke damage throughout the home, the fire chief said.

After the fire was extinguished, firefighters looked for the cat, but they were unable to find the animal at the time.

Bath, GVW and Langley firefighters responded to the house fire.

Beech Island, Clearwater and Belvedere firefighters were on standby.

No other injuries were reported.

Contact Karen Daily at kdaily@aikenstandard.com.