Just another Deadly Fire in my Hometown

Orange Mound house fire leaves 7 dead, 3 injured

By Alex McPeak (Contact), Memphis Commercial Appeal
Saturday, August 16, 2008

In one of the deadliest blazes in Memphis history, a house fire in Orange Mound this morning claimed at least seven lives and sent three more to area hospitals' burn wards
Firefighters responded to a 911 call about a fire at 5:45. They arrived minutes later at 860 Baltimore and found the back of a two story house engulfed in flames.

Inside, search crews found seven people who were all pronounced dead at the scene, Memphis Fire Department Spokesmen Lt. Keith Staples said.

Family members identified those killed as Melissa Poole, 38; Deon Poole, 18; Diamond Poole, 9; Dajanique Poole, 7; DaShaun Poole, 5; Arianna Poole, 4; and Rodney Poole, 1.

The injured were taken to Regional Medical Center at Memphis and LeBonheur Children's Medical Center. Relatives said they included Darius Poole, 16, and DeAndra Poole, 11, and a 17-year-old girl whose name was not available. All were listed in fair or good condition.

It took 30 fire personnel from 13 companies about 20 minutes to get the fire under control. They confined the fire to the house and prevented it from igniting other houses in the area. No fire fighters were injured.

Fire investigators have not yet determined the cause of the fire or the extent of the damage to the building.

“It’s a tragic situation for the community and the city,” Staples said.