Nashville Fire crews battle large apartment fire overnight

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - The Nashville Fire Department responded to a fire in the Hermitage area Sunday night.

According to Nashville Fire, the call went out around 10 p.m. on Sunday and when crews arrived, the people were spilling out of units at the Polo Park apartment community on Jackson Downs Blvd.

Large flames and heavy smoke were visible from the affected building and continued to grow as crews were setting up, which led them to attack the flames from the outside, before entering the structure. Several of the units in the building took on significant damage, from the flames and from the water to put them out, Nash Fire reported.

All of the occupants and pets managed to exit their units before sustaining any injuries. Emergency crews turned the community clubhouse into a gathering area for the residents while Red Cross worked to find temporary housing for the displaced.

One of the victims was Madison Leathers, who returned to the scene Monday afternoon, staring from her car at what little was left of her apartment.

“It’s just surreal to see essentially my life crumbled and charred,” Leather said.

She wanted to thank two women, who she says sprang into action, knocking on doors when they saw a flame.

“Honestly if it wasn’t for them, we’d all be trapped in that apartment and probably none of us would be out right now,” Leather said.

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