An elderly man was killed in a nursing home blaze in Hickory Hill.
Memphis firefighters said 47 residents were able to escape. Two were taken to the hospital but are expected to be OK.
Myron Williams, a resident, described the blaze to a WREG reporter: “Like a tinder box. Once it started from the back, it circled the building in the back and came through the middle and ended up front."
Firefighters said while the cause is still under investigation, it appears the blaze started in a lower unit on the south side of the building.
On its Facebook page, Memphis fire officials wrote: "Automatic alarm quickly turned into a working fire. This fire spread throughout what appeared to be 3-4 wings of the building, as initial efforts were concentrated on rescuing the residents. Firefighting efforts included elevated aerial ladder streams from Trucks 20, 15, 17, and 27, along with Rescue 2. Additionally, handlines and ground monitors were used by Engines 52, 35, 25, 41, 55 and 29. This was a major firefighting operation...:
Firefighters said there were other working incidents during this operation.
