03-15-15 Pet Dogs Seriously Injured in House Fire

The Chattanooga Fire Department received the alarm at 2:20 p.m. and responded to 1018 Line Street with five fire companies. Battalion Chief Rick Boatwright said smoke and flames were visible when the first firefighters arrived on the scene. As the firefighters pulled hand-held hoselines to make an interior attack, their efforts were hampered by a lot of debris and other materials that kept them from getting around in the house. Chief Boatwright also said the house appears to have been renovated several times, which created false ceilings, walls and other hidden spaces that made it difficult for the firefighters to get to the fire.

At the time of this release, no people were found inside the structure. However, firefighters found two dogs fairly quickly. One was chained up outside in the front yard, and another was inside the house. As a firefighter carried the dog out, it was showing symptoms of smoke inhalation, so firefighters used a pet rescue mask to administer oxygen to it. The dog's condition improved and it was handed off to personnel with McKamey Animal Center. A few minutes later, a third dog was found in an attached outbuilding. Unfortunately, it was suffering from significant burns and smoke inhalation. Firefighters attempted to administer oxygen to the dog, but it was too combative and was handed off to McKamey Animal Center personnel.

The house was considered a total loss. Chief Boatwright said the remaining walls and debris presented a hazard to the surrounding neighborhood, so a track-hoe with city public works was going to be called in to demolish the rest of the house. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Chattanooga police, Hamilton County EMS, EPB and Chattanooga-Hamilton County Rescue also provided assistance on the scene.