Five children and four adults were killed early on Monday in a Memphis, Tennessee house fire that was the city’s deadliest in almost a century, officials said.
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Firefighters received a call at 1:23 a.m. and arrived on the scene just four minutes later to find light smoke coming from the structure.
Fire crews found four adults and three children dead inside, Sweat said at a news conference. Three more children died at Le Bonoheur Children’s Hospital. Firefighters did find a smoke detector, but it’s unclear whether it was working.
However, family members said there were seven children inside the home, meaning 11 were inside the home.
Memphis Fire Director Gina Sweat said it appears the fire started in the living room, but the cause of the fire is under investigation.
An early morning house fire has claimed the lives of 11 people. “We sincerely pray for this family and for the loved ones of this family”.
Cooke said that smoke detectors are available for free at the Fire Museum of Memphis.
“This is the most tragic fire incident in Memphis since the 1920s”, Sweat said.
Sweat went to the site and spoke with firefighters.
Cooke says grief counselors will be provided for the personnel who handled the fire.
Investigators said the family was unable to get out of the home.
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Cooke also recommended that all family members have an escape plan for every room of the house.
