VIDEO: The Knoxville Fire Department said an apartment building in North Knoxville was destroyed in a fire Monday morning. KFD said the fire was called in around 5:27 a.m. by a driver on I-40 near downtown who said they saw a large fire in the area. At the same time, KFD said multiple reports came in about a large home being on fire on Gratz Street near Haynes Place.
KFD Assistant Chief Mark Wilbanks said when crews arrived there was heavy fire coming from the upper floors of the building. Firefighters were not able to go inside due to the significant amount of fire. Eventually, a ladder truck was set up to spray water on top of the building. Wilbanks said the fire was out by about 6:25 a.m. He said firefighters would remain on scene putting out hot spots. As of 7:15 a.m. crews were still on scene. Wilbanks said one man lived in the building. He said the man returned home just as crews arrived and confirmed no one else lived in the building. The American Red Cross is helping the displaced man.
