A fire Monday night on Dunson Street claimed the life of one person and five animals.

The victim was 80-year-old Gladys Shelton. Her husband was transported by a family to the hospital after being overcome by smoke, according to Lt. Chris Taylor with the LaGrange Fire Department. Taylor was unsure whether or not the husband is still hospitalized.

Taylor said the LaGrange Fire Department dispatched to the house on the 1000 block of Dunson Street around 10:28 p.m. There were two adult occupants inside the residence at the time of the fire, but the husband was able to escape with a dog. The other occupant was pronounced dead at the scene by the county coroner, according to Taylor.

Three dogs, one cat and a bird also died in the fire, Taylor said.

Family friend Arla Akery said one of the couple’s cats escaped the house along with the one dog, but neither had been seen.

Two LaGrange firefighters were transported to the hospital for observation, due to non-life threating injuries, and released.

LaGrange firefighters arrived on the scene at 10:35 p.m. and found a single-story, wood-frame family dwelling with heavy smoke conditions and flames showing from the rear of the residence, Taylor said. LaGrange firefighters pulled 1 – 1 ¾” fire attack hose line and entered the structure to locate the entrapped occupant. Taylor said firefighters encountered intense heat and heavy smoke conditions inside the structure.

Firefighters were able to locate the fire victim a short time later and removed the victim from the residence. The fire was brought under control by 11 p.m. Firefighters found the deceased animals shortly after in different areas of the residence, Taylor said. The structure sustained extensive fire, heat, smoke and water damage. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the LaGrange fire and police departments.

Akrey said the Sheltons had lived in that house since 1979.

Family friend Jessica Spradlin said the event is saddening.

“It’s very devastating,” Spradlin said. “They’re really good people.”