Tenn. Firefighters Escape Injury in Collapse

KNOXVILLE — Two Knoxville firefighters escaped unharmed when a section of roof collapsed on them while battling an apartment fire just east of downtown Monday night.

All of the tenants inside the 12-unit, three-story building at Green Hills Apartments, 1837 Riverside Drive, made it out safely when flames erupted from the top floor shortly after 7 p.m., Knoxville Fire Department Capt. D.J. Corcoran said.

Eleven of the units were rented, although it was not immediately known how many people were inside at the time.

Fire crews quickly converged on the building when the two firefighters radioed for help after the roof caved in.

"About 20 minutes into the fire we did have a ‘Mayday,' which is basically a call for help," Corcoran said. "We had some (firefighters) inside the building when the roof and ceiling collapsed on them.

"The Mayday was in effect for approximately 35-40 seconds until crews could get there to them and dislodge them from the debris. They were able to get up and walk away from that without any injuries."

The fire was under control within about an hour. The cause is under investigation.

More details as they develop online and in Tuesday's News Sentinel.

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