An overnight house fire claimed the life of Blount County man, whom family members say was a former Elvis impersonator.
Flames broke out in a home on Sam James Road, Knoxville, just before midnight Monday.
Blount County Fire Protection Chief Doug McClanahan said, when firefighters arrived, flames were shooting through the roof.
They used infrared cameras inside and outside to search for any victims while spraying down the flames.
The first several searches turned up nothing, but when firefighters got to the back of the house, where the flames were most intense, they found a man lying on the floor.
Family members have identified him as 55-year-old Tony Waters.
One cat and one dog also died in the fire.
Fire investigators were expected to work into Wednesday to determine a cause. An autopsy also was planned to officially identify the victim.
Family members describe Waters as a quiet man who was always willing to help a friend. They say he often allowed people to stay with him at his home.
He had adored cats and Elvis.
His family says Waters impersonated Elvis in Pigeon Forge in the 1980s and collected memorabilia.
They say he actually had water from the pool of Elvis' father, Vernon Presley.
Family members are still making arrangements for the funeral. They say he did not have life insurance or home insurance, so they are facing some financial difficulty.
Source: http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=65181&provider=top
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Wed Oct 01, 2008 11:56 am
