Woman killed in Alcoa apartment fire
By Matthew Stewart | (matts@thedailytimes.com)
An early morning fire in Alcoa Thursday claimed the life of an woman and injured a firefighter.
Alcoa Fire and Police departments responded at 2:09 a.m. to an apartment fire at 340 Sanderson St., said Chief Roger Robinson. Personnel arrived on scene within four minutes, and they observed heavy smoke coming from Apartment 1.
Upon entering the unit, firefighters found a fire in the front living room, according to an Alcoa press release. The fire was reportedly moving toward other areas of the apartment, and smoke filled the entire residence.
Firefighters located an unconscious female inside the residence while conducting their preliminary search, the release said. They began performing CPR on the woman and Rural/Metro Ambulance Service took her to Blount Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Officials are withholding the woman’s identity until the family has been identified, Robinson said. Police and fire investigators were still contacting family members.
Officials have requested an autopsy, which should be completed within 24-48 hours, he said. Foul play is not suspected.
Alcoa Police Detective Kris Sanders and Alcoa Fire Marshal Darren Stinnett are investigating the incident, Robinson said.
Four fire engines, including one Maryville engine that responded through the city’s mutual aid agreement, and 20 firefighters were on the scene, he said. Personnel extinguished the fire within 10 minutes and cleared the scene at 6 a.m.
Alcoa firefighter Dan Harris was injured at the scene, Robinson said. The firefighter broke his ankle while trying to get the hose off his engine to establish the water supply.
Harris was taken to Blount Memorial Hospital where he underwent surgery, he said. The firefighter hasn’t been released, and the department hasn’t been advised when he might return to work.
Harris has worked 10 years at the Alcoa Fire Department.
