John Coffelt, Editor

A fire during the early hours of Friday, Aug. 23 at Carden Estates Apartments on Summer Street destroyed 36 housing units and displaced over 70 people.

According to Mayor Joey Hobbs, approximately 72 individuals were bussed to the Conference Center where the displaced residents were  processed with the American Red Cross. 

According to city officials, South Central Development District transportation division offered a bus to take people back-and-forth to work and into the scene when appropriate.

The Dusty Elam Foundation stepped in to deliver toiletries, and Hardee’s Restaurant provided breakfast to the victims.

The city is currently contacting local clergy to help in coordinating available resources.

“I know that many of you will be eager to help in any way that you can because that’s what we do in Manchester,” Hobbs said in a statement.

“I will give further updates throughout the day as to the best way to proceed. I would like to close by thanking the Manchester Fire Department for their heroic efforts in sustaining the fire and their assistance with the families affected. There was no loss of life, and for that, we can be incredibly grateful,” Hobbs said. 

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.