Martin, Tenn.–Efforts by Martin Firefighters saved the life of an occupant of a home that was destroyed by fire Friday night. Firefighters carried the individual down a ladder from the second floor. The victim was transported to Volunteer Community Hospital for treatment.
On April 17, 2026, at approximately 9:22 p.m., the City of Martin Fire/Rescue Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire with a possible occupant trapped at 303 Olive Street. Responding units included Ladder 1, Engine 2, Engine 9, and Medic Units 1 and 3.
Ladder 1 arrived on scene at 9:26 p.m. and observed a two-story residential structure with approximately half of the home fully involved in fire. Heavy smoke was visible from all windows. Incident Command was established, and bystanders advised that an occupant was trapped at a second-floor window on the A-side of the structure.
Engine 2, Engine 9, and both medic units arrived shortly after Ladder 1. Ladder 1 personnel immediately deployed ground ladders to the A-side and accessed the second-floor window, where they successfully rescued the occupant. Firefighters carried the individual down the ladder to safety and transferred her to awaiting EMS personnel. The patient was then transported by Medic 3 to Volunteer Community Hospital for treatment.
During rescue operations, the fire extended through the roofline. Fire crews continued suppression efforts for approximately three hours before the fire was brought under control. Following extinguishment, fire investigators, along with agents from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), were requested to assist in determining the cause and origin of the fire. The investigation remains ongoing at this time.