MEMPHIS, Tenn. — One person is dead and several injured after a fire at an independent living facility Saturday night.
The Memphis Fire Department responded to the Northlake Apartments on Epworth Road in Raleigh around 11:30.
Crews found heavy fire visible when they arrived, and immediately began attacking the fire from inside.
About 20 people were successfully evacuated, but at least five others had to be physically carried out, and some were found unconscious, MFD said.
Five people were taken to area hospitals. Two were in critical condition due to smoke inhalation.
One person was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of death is pending review by the medical examiner.
People living in the facility say the apartment complex is an independent living facility, and many of the people living there are either elderly or disabled.
Resident Teresa Murphy says she was awakened by a woman banging on her door with what sounded like a stick and yelling for someone to call 911.
“I opened the door up and that black smoke just came barreling right into my face,” Murphy said.
Murphy, who recently had surgery on her hip, says the smoke quickly filled her apartment. She says she managed to escape with the help of her neighbor, who is in a wheelchair.
“I couldn’t see with my walker walking out. I was sort of bumping into the wall, but I knew about how many steps to take to the outside door,” she said.
Once outside, she says she saw flames engulf her neighbor’s home.
The cause was determined to be an accidental electrical fire at the rear of one of the apartment units. The fire caused $350,000 in damage and $100,000 loss in contents.
The building had working smoke detectors, MFD said.
“Few of us are being displaced you know without anything. No family. No friends that can help take care of us,” Murphy said.