05-29-2013 Electrical Fire Forces Evacuation of Patten Towers

The fire alarm system was activated around 10:00 p.m. and the Chattanooga Fire Department responded with six fire companies.

Captain David Thompson Jr. with Squad 1 said the fire was located around some electrical conduits. Captain Thompson said the basement filled with black, acrid smoke and the intense flames shot the temperature up to 1,500 degrees. The firefighters used dry powder extinguishers to get most of the blaze under control. However, to keep the fire from re-igniting, power to the building would have to be cut off.

Battalion Chief Lesley Morgan said all 241 residents, many of them with special needs, would have to be relocated. Many residents had already evacuated when the fire alarm was activated, but others stayed in their rooms. Chattanooga firefighters, assisted by medics with Hamilton County EMS, went door-to-door in the 11 story building, helping the residents out of the building. Some had to be helped out using "stair chairs," which are specifically designed to help physically disabled people out of high-rise buildings.

CARTA was asked to bring in four busses so the residents would have a temporary shelter. When it was determined that power could not be restored to the building, the decision was made to relocate the residents using the CARTA busses.

The American Red Cross of Southeast Tennessee was asked to help and the local chapter responded, setting up a shelter at the Brainerd Recreation Center on North Moore Road. Red Cross volunteers spent the night setting up cots and taking care of other needs for the Patten Towers residents.

The exact cause of the fire is undetermined. It is not known at this time how long it will take to repair the damage before it's safe for the residents to return to Patten Towers. Chattanooga police, EPB and Chattanooga-Hamilton County Rescue also provided valuable assistance on the scene.