The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Source:
Tuesday, January 01, 2019 02:47 PM
Several Dozen People Forced From Homes After Fire Rips Through Walker Springs Apartment
Crews with Rural Metro responded to multiple reports of a fire at the apartment complex at 7:35 p.m.
Rural-Metro said eight units at the apartment complex have been affected and asked drivers to avoid the area as crews evacuated residents and battled flames shooting from the roof and back of the residence.
Four of the apartments sustained extensive damage, while the other sustained moderate damage. The fire was brought under control at 8:57 p.m.
One couple that lives at the complex said they pulled up, noticed the fire, then started knocking on doors and successfully helped several families escape safely.
Rural Metro told Local 8 News that, as far as they know, no one was injured. The fire went into the attic and got too big to fight inside, they said. Red Cross has been called in to help eight families.
Two other fires were reported in Knoxville by the Knoxville Fire Department. One small heat and air unit fire occurred on San Juan and another residential fire occurred on Ault St.
Rural Metro reported that the cause of the fire is under investigation.
