Firefighter dead, 3 injured while trying to put out house fire in Memphis

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC/Gray News) - A Memphis firefighter died while battling a house fire in South Memphis.

The fire happened on Rile Street off I-55 in South Memphis around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Fire officials said the firefighter, along with three others, were trapped.

Memphis Fire Department has identified the firefighter killed as Lt. Jeffrey Norman. The department said Norman began his career in Memphis in 2002.

Memphis Fire Chief Gina Sweat says Norman was a leader and hard worker who took pride in serving his community.

The other three firefighters remain hospitalized.

Memphis Fire Department public information officer Qwamesha Ward said the recovering firefighters’ conditions are being watched closely with more updates to follow.

“We must never forget the bravery and sacrifice that firefighters exhibit every single day,” saud Jim Strickland, the mayor of Memphis. “Also, we should all pray for the family and Memphis Fire Department family who are suffering from this tragic loss and for the firefighters in the hospital.”

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.

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