The Knoxville Fire Department has determined the cause of the house fire on Norwalk Avenue.
Sunday’s fire was caused by an overloaded power strip. The home suffered moderate damage and no injuries were reported as the three people living there weren’t at home at the time of the fire. Officials say during a typical year, home electrical problems account for 90,000 fires, over 700 deaths, and $700 million in property losses.
KFD says you should follow these electrical safety tips to help keep your home fire safe.
• Replace worn, old, or damaged extension cords right away.
• Use extension cords for temporary purposes only.
• Avoid putting cords where they can be damaged or pinched, like under a carpet or rug.
• Do not overload power strips.
• Use power strips that have internal overload protection.
7/24/24 UPDATE: Wanted Juan Carlos Diaz Perez has been taken into custody. He was located and arrested near the Oak Ridge Quarry by the U.S. Marshals Smokey Mountain Fugitive Task Force. Diaz Sanchez is being transported back to Knoxville.
The KPD appreciates the U.S. Marshals Service, Oak Ridge Police Department, Blount County Sheriff’s Office and the 7th Judicial Drug Task Force for their assistance.
7/23/24 UPDATE: The victim from the murder at a home in the 1200 block of Mercer Street has been identified as Suceli Perez, 18. It is believed that the victim died by blunt force trauma, pending Medical Examiner’s Office autopsy.
Update: Warrants are on file charging Diaz Perez with first-degree murder.
The body of the victim was found in the bed of the Diaz Perez’s truck that was recovered in Oak Ridge. The identity of the victim, an adult woman, is being withheld at this time.
Efforts remain ongoing to locate Diaz Perez in the area of Wisconsin Avenue in Oak Ridge. The search has been assisted by the Oak Ridge Police Department, Roane County Sheriff’s Office, Blount County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshal Service.
Anyone who sees Diaz should not approach him and call 9-1-1.
Original Story: Knoxville Police Department detectives are investigating a suspected homicide that happened at a home on Mercer Street.
On Monday afternoon, KPD received a third-party report that a man had gravely injured his girlfriend at a home in the 1200 block of Mercer Street. Homicide Unit detectives and Forensics personnel responded to the home, where they located evidence of a potentially deadly assault.
The victim or suspect were not at the scene when officers arrived.
The suspect has since been identified as Juan Carlos Diaz Perez, who is shown in the attached picture. He left the scene in a white pickup truck, which was located by Oak Ridge Police Department officers at a park in the Oak Ridge area a short time ago, off of the Oak Ridge Turnpike near Sweet Gum Lane. The suspect was not found with the truck and efforts are underway to locate him.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knoxville Police are investigating following a shooting Sunday night in the Lonsdale area.
KPD officers responded just after 8:00 p.m. to the 2100 block of Cornelia Cartwright Avenue. KPD officials say officers found multiple shell casings in the street in that area and a 16-year-old male who sustained a minor gunshot wound to his back.
KPD says detectives believe the incident involved a group of juveniles but that the victim was reportedly uncooperative with investigators.
The victim was taken to the hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. No charges have yet been filed.
A 16-year-old was injured with a minor, non-life-threatening gunshot wound, but was reportedly uncooperative with investigators. (Courtesy: KPD)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon has endorsed Kamala Harris for President of the United States.
Kincannon taking to Facebook Monday afternoon with the announcement saying “as a Democratic delegate to the party’s national convention, I am proud to endorse Kamala Harris for President.”
Kincannon’s announcement comes on the heels of speaking to reporters Sunday night during which she declined to say which candidate she would support at the national convention and after President Joe Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his preferred nominee following his campaign-ending announcement.
The Tennessee Democratic Party announced that its delegation to the 2024 Democratic National Convention had voted to support Harris.
(Courtesy: City of Knoxville / Mayor Indya Kincannon)
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) UPDATE 2:00 P.M.: Multiple agencies are on the scene and a stretch of Kingston Pike is closed to traffic as cleanup is underway following a tractor-trailer spill Monday morning on North Peters Road.
Knoxville Fire Department officials say crews responded at approximately 11:45 Monday morning, confirming that the truck spilled hydrochloric acid in the roadway.
Kingston Pike is closed between Cedar Bluff and Ebenezer, and traffic is being diverted. Fire officials say North Peters Road could be closed for several hours into overnight depending on how much material is in the truck.
Police and fire officials are asking that you avoid the area and seek alternate routes if possible.
ORIGINAL STORY: A tractor-trailer leaking acid is prompting road closures currently in Knoxville.
Knoxville Fire Department officials say crews responded to a HAZMAT situation on North Peters Road at approximately 11:45 Monday morning.
KFD has confirmed that the tractor-trailer started leaking hydrochloric acid.
Road closures are in place in the area of Kingston Pike and North Peters Road. Police and fire officials are asking that you avoid the area and seek alternate routes if possible.
Helton becomes first former Tennessee Vol enshrined in Cooperstown
Courtesy / WVLT Volunteer TV Sports By John Sartori
COOPERSTOWN, NY (WVLT) – There may not have been a tougher moment in Todd Helton’s baseball life than what he had to do on Sunday in front of thousands in Cooperstown, New York.
It’s something the Vol For Life has shied away from at every opportunity, talking about himself. On Sunday, Helton had no choice, becoming a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024.
“Those of you who know me know I’d be more comfortable doing anything other than standing up here, talking about myself,” Helton said.
The Rockies legend spent the majority of his speech thanking those who helped raise him to Cooperstown.
“You don’t get to play Major League Baseball or dream of getting to the Hall of Fame without people who support you,” Helton said. “My wife, Christy, we did this together.”
From there, Helton thanked his Mother Martha and his late Father Jerry.
“Mom, thank you for all the time you put in to helping me get here,” said Helton. “I now see how much you sacrificed to help me live out my dream. You watched more baseball than most big league scouts…Thank you so much.”
“My Dad passed in 2015. This would have meant as much, if not more to him than it does me,” Helton said. “My Dad made me believe I could stand up here today.”
Helton is the first Tennessee Volunteer to make the Baseball Hall of Fame. He is just the second Colorado Rockies player in the Hall.
Tennessee’s two United States Senators are calling for President Joe Biden to resign after making the announcement he will no longer seek to run for re-election.
Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty each say Biden should resign immediately if he isn’t capable of running for re-election.
Biden says he is intent on completing his term.
President Joe Biden announcing he would no longer be running in the 2024 presidential election.
The move comes after several Democratic leaders, including Nancy Pelosi and former President Barack Obama, reportedly pushed for it.
Several of East Tennessee’s lawmakers releasing statements shortly after the president’s announcement yesterday (Sunday).
Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon saying it’s takes courage to pass the baton to the next generation of leaders. Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs saying if Joe Biden is not fit to run for president, he is not fit to serve as president. He needs to RESIGN NOW!
Republican Representatives Tim Burchett, Diana Harshbarger along with Democratic Representatives Gloria Johnson and Steve Cohen all expressing their thoughts for and against the President’s decision.
An investigation is underway and Knoxville Police arrest a man in connection to a shooting a Shell Convenience store near downtown Knoxville.
Officers called to the parking lot of the station on Summit Hill Drive Saturday night for a shooting. Police believe that two men were fighting which led to shots being fired.
One man was hit in the leg and taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect, 23-year-old Dereke Upton was arrested after being found in a home on Laurans Avenue Saturday night. He is charged with aggravated assault.
The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office is searching for an inmate who escaped the Hancock County jail.
Five inmates escaped Wednesday, all but Jason Holden Collins have been captured. Anyone with information is asked to call HCSO at 423-733-2249.
According to HCSO, the inmates escaped around 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday. HCSO has identified the escapees as Casey Denim, Todd Carroll, Jason Holden Collins, John Benton III, and Adam Bailey.
Two of the five inmates, Adam Bailey and John Benton III, have been captured and returned to the jail. HCSO said on Friday evening, it was confirmed that Casey Denim and Todd Carroll were also captured.
This afternoon (Sunday), at 4:19 PM, the Knox County Emergency Communications District received a call from a male who stated that his home was on fire. The caller advised that he believed the fire was in his basement.
On the arrival of KFD Engine 6, the officer reported smoke coming from the front door. After a brief investigation, a fire was discovered in a bedroom in the basement of the home. Crews immediately went to work and extinguished the fire within 10 minutes of the initial call to 911.
The home has suffered moderate fire damage in the basement and smoke damage throughout.
The home was occupied by three adults: two males and one female. No one was at home at the time of the fire. One of the adult males had just returned home and discovered the fire.
The American Red Cross is assisting the occupants.
No injuries were reported.
The Knoxville Fire Department Investigations Unit is on the scene, working to determine a cause.
