Community Risk

Fire Destroys Memphis Motel; FF Bitten By Fire Ants

Sept. 2, 2014

The 50-room Super 8 Motel was a total loss after a fire caused $750,000. a firefighter suffered several bites from fire ants during the battle.

Source The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, Tenn.

Sept. 01--Fire broke out in a 50-room motel on Lamar early Sunday, but no one was seriously injured, officials said.

Still, the Super 8 Motel at 4060 Lamar was a total loss, Memphis Fire Department spokesman Lt. Wayne Cooke said.

The fire began about 11:45 a.m. when the air-conditioning unit in Room 207 malfunctioned, Cooke said. The guests evacuated, he added, and the only minor injury came to a firefighter who suffered several bites from fire ants. The fire was brought under control just before 1 p.m.

Cooke estimated the value of lost property and contents at $750,000.