FAST FACTS:
(Memphis 1/15/09) An elderly woman who firefighters pulled out of a burning home early Friday morning has died. The woman was rushed to The Med in critical condition, however she died shortly after arriving. Firefighters got the call to a house in the 3700 block of Mayflower Ave, near Macon and Homer in Highland Heights around 1:30 a.m.
They had trouble getting inside because there were bars on the windows, however it got even more difficult to find the woman living there after they got inside.
According to Memphis Fire Department Division Chief "Skeeter" Rutledge, firefighters had to get around piles of boxes, clothes and other things that were stacked to the ceiling. He says, "There was just a path going through the house. So it also caused a problem for this lady being able to exit the building, but it also causes a problem for the firefighters because as they go in there's just a small path and all that debris can collapse on the firefighters."
Firefighters had to knock a hole in the pile at the front door, just to get inside, but had to turn back because there was too much stuff in the way.
The boxes and piles also make the situation even more dangerous for firefighters who had to watch out for falling debris. No firefighters were hurt. Investigators are trying to determine a cause. Stay tuned to News Channel 3 for updates.
- Elderly woman dies after house fire
- Firefighters had trouble getting to her because the woman's possessions were piled throughout the house
- Investigators are still trying to determine the cause
(Memphis 1/15/09) An elderly woman who firefighters pulled out of a burning home early Friday morning has died. The woman was rushed to The Med in critical condition, however she died shortly after arriving. Firefighters got the call to a house in the 3700 block of Mayflower Ave, near Macon and Homer in Highland Heights around 1:30 a.m.
They had trouble getting inside because there were bars on the windows, however it got even more difficult to find the woman living there after they got inside.
According to Memphis Fire Department Division Chief "Skeeter" Rutledge, firefighters had to get around piles of boxes, clothes and other things that were stacked to the ceiling. He says, "There was just a path going through the house. So it also caused a problem for this lady being able to exit the building, but it also causes a problem for the firefighters because as they go in there's just a small path and all that debris can collapse on the firefighters."
Firefighters had to knock a hole in the pile at the front door, just to get inside, but had to turn back because there was too much stuff in the way.
The boxes and piles also make the situation even more dangerous for firefighters who had to watch out for falling debris. No firefighters were hurt. Investigators are trying to determine a cause. Stay tuned to News Channel 3 for updates.
