Memphis Fire Fighters Association offers reward for info on house fire that killed lieutenant

Lucas Finton, Memphis Commercial Appeal
Updated ·3 min read
Crime scene tape can be seen in front of the home at 2047 Rile St. that burned down just after 11:30 p.m. Tuesday evening in South Memphis, on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Four firefighters were injured in the fire with one, Lieutenant Jeffrey Norman, later dying from his injuries.
Crime scene tape can be seen in front of the home at 2047 Rile St. that burned down just after 11:30 p.m. Tuesday evening in South Memphis, on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Four firefighters were injured in the fire with one, Lieutenant Jeffrey Norman, later dying from his injuries.

The Memphis Fire Fighters Association Friday approved a $5,000 contribution to CrimeStoppers of Memphis and Shelby County's reward for information that could lead to the arrest and conviction of the person, or people, responsible for starting a fire that left one Memphis firefighter dead.

The late Tuesday night fire in South Memphis, at 2047 Rile Street, was determined to be an arson, according to the Memphis Fire Department Thursday afternoon.

"One of our own lost his life due to the actions of a criminal," said Thomas Malone, president of the Memphis Fire Fighter's Association. "We hope these funds will convince someone to turn in those responsible for these egregious acts."

The Memphis Fire Fighters Association represents more than 2,000 active and retired MFD personnel.

Just after 1:30 p.m. Friday, Shelby County Government's Twitter put out a statement saying they will match the union's contribution, bringing the total reward for information to $10,000.

"Lt. Norman's death is a tragedy," the county said on Twitter. "We hope this will inspire more members of the public to come forward with information and do what's right. Our thoughts are will his family and firefighter brothers and sisters."

MFD believes the fire's origin is from an exterior dumpster in front of the house's carport. The fire then spread "upwards and outwards" to the carport and second floor addition on the carport, according to a press release.

Killed in the fire was Lt. Jeffrey Norman. Three other firefighters were also injured when they were trapped in the house fire.

In the days since the fire, two of the injured firefighters have been released from the hospital. One remains hospitalized, but is in stable condition according to MFD Public Information Officer Qwanesha Ward.

MFD is asking that anyone with information about the fire to call CrimeStoppers at (901)528-2274 or the State Arson Hotline at 1(800)762-3017.

Sea of red to honor Norman

A sea of read, a procession of emergency services vehicles traveling throughout the city, will take place at 8:15 p.m. Sunday, with vehicles lining up an hour earlier.

The procession will start near Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium and move along Central Avenue. Vehicles will continue onto Lamar Avenue, then turn onto East E.H. Crump Boulevard.

Vehicles will take a left onto South 3rd Street and another left on South Parkway East. The procession will end just shy of the I-55 entry ramp.

Funeral set for Norman

Norman's funeral has been set for Wednesday, July 26 at 11 a.m. at Bellevue Baptist Church. The church is located at 2000 Appling Road in Cordova.

A public visitation will take place the day prior, also at Bellevue Baptist Church, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m..

Lucas Finton is a criminal justice reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at Lucas.Finton@commercialappeal.com and followed on Twitter @LucasFinton.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Reward offered for info on arson that killed Memphis firefighter