Woman killed after house catches fire, explodes in Fairborn identified

FAIRBORN — UPDATE @ 10:52 a.m. (Jan. 16):

The woman killed in a Fairborn house fire Monday has been identified as Nola O’Daniel, 71, of Fairborn, according to the Greene County Coroner’s Office.

O’Daniel had worked at the St. Francis Thrift Store in Fairborn for more than a decade, people who knew her said.

“Yesterday, when we heard the news, there was a lot of crying,” said Jackie Fahsnestock, who still works at the thrift store. “She had such a good heart, cared about everyone and she was funny.”

INITIAL REPORT

One woman was killed after her Fairborn home caught fire and exploded Monday morning.

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Firefighters responded to the 400 block of Forest Street around 10:50 a.m. after being flooded with calls about heavy smoke conditions from the fire, according to initial reports.

Before their arrival, neighbors who heard the explosion and saw the smoke attempted to rescue the woman by creating a human chain to enter the home.

“Everyone in the neighborhood ran toward the home trying to help the woman and protect her family from this kind of loss”, said neighbor Cathy Sheward.

Unfortunately, their efforts were unsuccessful due to the smoke being unbearable.

While on scene, fire crews attempted to clear the smoke by cutting holes in the roof which prompted a search confirming the woman was inside the home, per officials.

Crews did experience another explosion during the search, but there are no reports of injuries as a result.

The Greene County Coroner’s office arrived shortly after the woman was pronounced dead on scene.

The identification of the woman is being withheld at this time until family has been notified.

We will continue to update this story as details become available.