UPI
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Five people died and two children survived when a fire ravaged their Nashville duplex, officials say.
One of the children, a 7-year-old girl, escaped death early Saturday when her father, Tedarrel Brooks, 50, lifted her to safety through a broken window in the duplex, The (Nashville) Tennessean reported.
Brooks, his wife Stephanie Brooks, 32, their daughters 8-year-old T’Derrica Brooks and 4-year-old Alexis Brooks and family friend Billy Vantrice Austin, 24, all died in the fire, whose cause remained unknown, the newspaper said.
Seven-year-old Jasmine Brooks reportedly survived and ran to get help. Her 3-year old brother, Tedarrel Brooks Jr., was listed in critical condition at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University.
Nashville Fire Department spokesman Joaquin Toon told The Tennessean there were no smoke detectors in the duplex.
“I am troubled by the injuries of an entire family, and while I am proud of the heroic actions made by our firefighters and paramedics, I know that working smoke detectors make a difference when a fire strikes and may have made a difference in the outcome of this fire,” Fire Chief Stephen Halford said in a release.
Copyright 2010 U.P.I.
All Rights Reserved