11-21-2013 Fire at JC Towers Injures Resident

The Chattanooga Fire Department received the alarm at 8:49 a.m. and responded to 500 W. Martin Luther King Boulevard with six fire companies. Battalion Chief Chris Willmore said the fire was located in an apartment on the 5th floor.

Chief Willmore said the victim had already been helped out of the apartment before firefighters arrived. John Penley, who lives next door, and Angel Chavez, the building manager, both heard the fire alarm. When they opened the door to the apartment, it was full of smoke. Details are still being obtained, but both men told firefighters that they helped the victim out of the apartment.

The fire appears to have started on or around the victim's bed. Chief Willmore said a sprinkler head activated, which put the fire out, but not before the room was filled with thick, black smoke. Chief Willmore said the victim – a 63-year-old man -- was suffering from burns and smoke inhalation.

Firefighters handed off the victim to paramedics with Hamilton County EMS, who transported him to Erlanger Medical Center. At the time of this release, the victim's condition was still being assessed.

The activation of the sprinkler head appears to have done its job in putting the fire out, but it also caused water damage to several apartment units on lower floors. Volunteers with the American Red Cross of Southeast Tennessee were called in to assist four residents who will need an alternate place to stay.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Chattanooga police also provided assistance on the scene.