MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - A north Memphis family is mourning the death of a loved one in a deadly fire early Wednesday morning.
The fire happened in the 1500-block of Sunset Street just after 1 a.m. on Wednesday, September 26.
Family members on the scene told abc24 news the victim was 91-year-old J.C. Sherrod.
His son and wife managed to make it out of the home before firefighters arrived. A smoke detector alerted the son, who was then able to save his mother. Firefighters found Sherrod unconscious inside.
His daughter, Betty Buford, says he gave his life to save his wife.
"My brother, he woke up, and he pulled my mamma out. So he had woke my dad up first, my dad said get my wife, so my brother got my mamma, took her out. Then he tried to go back and get him, but he couldn't see. It was too much smoke."
"I just know another good man gone, man," added neighbor Antonio Clayton. "He lived a lot of years; about 91-years old. He's gone on to a better place."
Sherrod died at the scene. His family says he was a preacher.
Investigators said the fire was caused by faulty wiring in the kitchen.
