CLINTON COUNTY — Six people are dead after a house fire in Clinton County on Tuesday.
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The fire was reported near Spring Hill and West Main Street in Clarksville around 6:40 a.m., according to Thomas Breckle, Clinton County EMA Director.
One 911 call told dispatchers the fire had trapped at least two people.
Firefighters went in despite dangerous conditions.
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“They did immediate water suppression, they went in, made entry, a few minutes later, is when they found the lone survivor of this household,” Breckel said.
Medics rushed that man to the hospital.
The flames made it impossible to make anymore rescues.
“The fire and everything that’s going on in the stairway, a partial collapse, they were unable to make it up to the second floor, so they used alternate methods,” Breckel said.
He said firefighters made it another way to the second floor and found a woman and four young children dead initially.
Hours later, a fifth child was found.
Investigators said this tragedy impacts the firefighters as well, as these victims are their neighbors.
“It’s a school day, and it’s a gut punch ... this is a very small community, they got one stoplight, everyone knows each other, they go to school with each other,” Breckel said.
Eight firefighters were hurt while fighting the fire.
The State Fire Marshal has been contacted to assist in the fire investigation.
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