NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A woman was killed in a house fire Friday morning near Clarksville.

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The fire broke out at a Montgomery County home and claimed the life of a young mother of two.

Sandra Broome, 35, died in the fire that authorities believe a space heater started.

Broom’s husband, Herbert, said he tried to rescue his wife from the fire, but was unable to do so.

“I looked back and the flames were rushing right behind me. I tried to go back in and get her, but I couldn’t get her. So, I thought I’d go behind where the window was, and I pulled the air conditioner unit out to grab her, but I couldn’t see her. (I thought) maybe if she couldn’t see me, but she could hear me, I’d tell her to come to my voice and I’d pull her through the window, you know, if I could. But apparently, the smoke just got in her lungs, and she was unconscious, because I couldn’t hear her after that. She said, ‘I can’t get out.’ That’s the last words I heard from her,” he said.

Authorities said the Broomes did not have a smoke detector or fire extinguisher in their home and emphasized the importance of using care when using a space heater.

A fund has been set up at AmSouth Bank, and donations can be made to the Sandra Broome Fund.