News

Actions

Two children dead following a house fire in Hermitage on Monday

Two children dead following a house fire in Hermitage
Posted
and last updated

HERMITAGE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Two children have died following a house fire on Arbor Pointe Way in Hermitage.

Crews arrived at the residence around 4:40 a.m. on Monday and found that it was on fire with flames going into the roof.

A mother was outside the building telling crews that two children were still inside. The mother had managed to get herself and one other child out of the home.

They were told by the mother that two children were still in the house on the second floor. After a quick interior search, the children were found; however, they had encountered extreme heat and smoke.

"The smoke was already going into the gables of this home and the top area, which is also the attic portion. The smoke and flames were moving rapidly at this point, that mother was unable to go back into the home," Nashville Fire Department spokesperson Kendra Loney said.

Nashville Fire says both children were 4 years old. Neighbors say they were twins.

Medics at the scene tried life-saving measures, but the children died at the scene of the fire. The transports to the hospital were the mother and the other child.

“We’re very saddened that today in this home we lost those two children," Loney said.

The home did have a working sprinkler system, which is why the front of the home is still intact, but it’s still considered to be a total loss.

A next-door neighbor says he’ll never forget the continuous stream of joy coming from the home. He often heard the mother teaching, playing, and singing with her boys as children’s music played from the backyard.

Now, neighbors are rallying to support the family in any way they can. You can help via their GoFundMe.

Youth services are investigating the fatalities of the two children, and ATF is assisting in the fire investigation.

Do you have more information about this story? You can email us at aaron.cantrell@newschannel5.com or kelly.broderick@newschannel5.com.

Blind woman entertains assisted living neighbors, plays seven instruments

“I’ve never met anyone like Tennie.”

That’s how one neighbor at Stones River Manor in Murfreesboro describes Tennie Fitzpatrick, who has mastered as many as seven different musical instruments. Each day, Tennie shares those talents with residents, workers and visitors. It’s an ability Tennie herself believes is “a gift from God.” That’s because Tennie is blind, and overcame a difficult, abusive childhood.  Forrest Sanders shares this truly inspirational story.

- Rhori Johnston

Sign up for our Morning E-mail Newsletter to receive the latest headlines in your inbox.