KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A 67-year-old man and 3-year-old boy have died from injuries suffered in an early Monday morning house fire, according to the Knoxville Fire Department.
“The Knoxville Fire Department is saddened to learn that both have succumbed to their injuries as a result of this morning’s fire,” KFD shared in an update later Monday morning. “Our prayers and condolences are with the family during this difficult time.”
KFD investigators are working to determine a cause. However, foul play is not considered a factor in the cause of the fire at this time.
Crews with the Knoxville Fire Department worked a house fire early Monday morning in West Knoxville.
KFD officials told WATE 6 On Your Side at the scene that a neighbor had called it in; the Knox County 911 center received a call for a reported front porch fire at 3:23 a.m. The small fire caused heavy smoke and damage to the residence. No pets were present.
The agency initially tweeted about the incident at 3:42 a.m., when KFD crews arrived on the scene in the 2200 block of Mississippi Avenue. People were reportedly trapped in the house fire.
“KFD crews quickly went to work and removed one child and one adult male from the home,” KFD stated in a news release.
The fire was extinguished quickly and most of the heavy damage was at the front of the house.
Knoxville Fire Investigators are working to determine a cause. The American Red Cross is assisting the additional family member who was not home at the time of the fire.
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Soon after, KFD reported the fire was out and two people – described at the scene only as an adult and a child – had been taken to local hospitals in serious and/or critical condition.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated with additional information from KFD.