07-10-2013 Update on Kirby Avenue House Fire

The wheel-chair-bound resident, who had been in the front yard while firefighters worked to put the fire out, began complaining of difficulty breathing. That individual was transported by EMS to a local hospital for possible smoke inhalation and other pre-existing medical issues. Lt. Henry McElvain with the Fire Investigation Division said one of the other two victims taken to a local hospital earlier has first and second-degree burns, and would be flown to the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia. The other victim was expected to be treated and released.

Contrary to earlier reports, the fire did not start in the kitchen. Captain Anthony Moore with the Fire Investigation Division said the fire appears to have started in a back bedroom. The cause of the fire remains undetermined and under investigation.

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[Original Release]

July 10, 2013

House Fire Sends Two to Hospital

It was a close call for several people around 10:00 this morning when fire broke out in their house in the Highland Park community. 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.