KNOXVILLE, Tenn.-- A Knoxville firefighter was severely burned early Monday morning while fighting an apartment fire.
Firefighter James Rickett sustained second degree burns to his hands and face when he became tangled in the bed springs of a burning mattress at Townview Towers.
Rickett was taken to the burn unit at Vanderbilt University Medical Center Monday for treatment.
Another firefighter, Gary Ellis, sustained first degree burns during the blaze. He was treated at UT and released.
The firefighters responded to the fire around 1:30 a.m. Monday. Apartment 208 was fully engulfed in flames.
Fire officials evacuated the second floor of the building. All the apartment residents made it out safely.
Fire officials say a cigarette may be to blame for the fire.
Republished with permission of WATE-TV
