Update: Karen Elaine Russell, 67, who sustained burns in the fire at Rustic Village North Apartments, succumbed to her injuries, according to a news release from the Chattanooga Fire Department. The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.
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A fire at Rustic Village North Apartments in Chattanooga on Wednesday left one woman in critical condition and 19 families displaced, according to a news release from the Fire Department.
Chattanooga Fire Operations Chief Rick Boatwright first witnessed smoke coming from the Highway 58 area on his way to work and pulled into the complex in the 4600 block of Sunflower Lane. According the release, Boatwright spotted smoke and flames coming from Building 12 and immediately started knocking on doors to alert residents.
Boatwright carried a child out to safety as another man, Jimmy Franklin, lifted an injured woman over a balcony and then called 911, the release stated.
Firefighters responded to the scene shortly after the call came in at 7:36 a.m. and worked alongside extra crew members to extinguish the fire from outside the apartment. After a secondary search was conducted, investigators determined no other residents were in the building.
A woman sustained burns during the incident and was airlifted to a burn center for treatment of her injuries. Boatwright was treated at a local hospital for smoke inhalation and later was released, fire officials said.
The American Red Cross will assist the 19 families who were displaced. An investigation to determine the cause of the fire is ongoing.
-- Compiled by Kiara Green