KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Knoxville Fire Department responded to a fire that damaged more than a dozen units at a South Knoxville apartment complex.
According to KFD, crews responded to a fire at The Henley Apartments at 320 Highwood Court around 3:30 p.m. KFD said it arrived to find heavy fire rising from one unit before crews worked to extinguish it.
KFD initially said no one was hurt in the fire, however, after the response it said one firefighter had to be evaluated for a minor burn that happened when they were mopping up the fire and putting out hot spots.
Crews said 14 apartment units were affected, with more than half of the building suffering heavy fire damage and the rest seeing moderate smoke damage. The American Red Cross arrived to offer assistance to people who were displaced.
KFD said they believe the fire started in one of the lower units before engulfing the upper level, saying people inside were alerted after someone pulled a fire alarm. Crews tried to put the fire out from the inside but said it grew too large and they had to fight it defensively from the exterior.
Neighbors said they were thankful someone alerted people to the fire.
"I look outside and I just see a wall of flames going up the side of the building right there, and I'm like, 'Holy cow!'" neighbor Joshua Apt said. "I didn't see my day going this way!"
"I walked outside and I was just blown away," Zachary Millage said. "If you see something, let people know. It's unfortunate that these things happen, but take care of one another in times like this."
KFD said Thursday it determined an electrical issue caused the fire, saying it started in the front bedroom of the apartment next to the bed.
Smoke and flames could be seen from afar in Downtown Knoxville and elsewhere Wednesday afternoon as crews responded. Tom Allen sent this video from his business on Chapman Highway near the apartment complex:
