MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A family of four was killed after a Frayser home went up in flames early Tuesday morning.
Memphis Fire Department confirmed an 8-year-old, a 10-year-old, a mother, and a grandfather were all trapped inside the home in the 900 block of Par Ave. when a space heater caused the home to go up in flames about 2 a.m.
A surviving father, who arrived to see his home on fire and hoping to save his family, reportedly tried to bust windows and work his way inside the home with the help of neighbors nearby, but he was unsuccessful.
The father is the only survivor of the tragedy. He was taken to Regional One Hospital's burn unit in critical condition.
It took firefighters about 20 minutes to bring the flames under control. No firefighters were injured.
MFD said teams are working to confirm whether there was a working smoke detector in the home.
MFD urges the community to make sure they have a working smoke detector, adding that people using a space heater should keep the heater at least four feet away from anything that could ignite.
Space heaters should also not be left unattended.
The fire caused about $50,000 damage in total.
Anyone wishing to apply for a free smoke alarm from the Memphis Fire Department can learn more at https://www.memphistn.gov/government/fire-department/free-smoke-alarm-application/.
