07-10-2013 House Fire Sends Two to Hospital

When the first firefighters arrived at 2410 Kirby Avenue, people in the front yard said there might still be someone inside the smoke-filled house. The firefighters could see that the fire was at the rear of the structure, so Lt. Chris Cordes with Ladder 5 quickly went to the rear of the house and saw an elderly man standing on the back porch, holding on to a railing. He was apparently too weak to walk down the steps. Lt. Cordes helped the man off the porch and with the help of other firefighters got him safely away from the house.

Captain John Ives with Engine 5 said other firefighters found the fire in the kitchen and got the fire out within minutes. Captain Ives said two people were transported by Hamilton County EMS to a local hospital for smoke inhalation. One of the victims also reportedly had singed hair. Their injuries were not thought to be life-threatening, but they did have pre-existing health issues. Firefighters were unable to determine exactly how many people were living in the house, but volunteers with the American Red Cross of Southeast Tennessee were called in to provide assistance to all of the victims.

One of the residents told firefighters that they were cooking something shortly before the fire broke out. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Chattanooga police also provided assistance on the scene.