3 Die in Fire in Tennessee Rest Home

MARYVILLE, Tenn. — A fire that swept through a rural retirement home without sprinklers or proximity to a hydrant killed three elderly residents, and six people remained hospitalized Wednesday.

The privately owned Home Away From Home was not required to have a sprinkler system under state rules. Investigators were trying to determine the cause of the Tuesday night blaze.

“Nothing is ruled out,” said Bob Pollard, a special agent with the state fire marshal.

The home’s administrator, Curtis Sorrells, issued a statement expressing sympathy for the victims and saying the management was cooperating with investigators.

The facility passed its fire inspection last year and was due to be reviewed again this Tuesday, said Katy Gammon, director of the Tennessee Department of Health’s Health Care Facilities section.

Fifteen residents, a caregiver and a guest were in the ranch-style brick building 15 miles south of Knoxville when it caught fire.

Authorities identified two of the dead as residents Lucille Law, 87, and Molly Wright, 84. The third victim’s identity was not released.

In all, 13 people were treated and six remained hospitalized, three in critical condition.