12-19-15 Smoke Alarm Installed Yesterday Saves Lives Today

Upon arrival, Captain Brandon Schroyer with Engine 9 established command of a single story residential structure with heavy smoke showing from the A and D sides, and fire showing from the D side only. The owner had already evacuated the structure and was uninjured in the front yard of the residence. Engine 9 personnel made an interior attack through the A side using an 1 3/4" line and tank water. Command was informed by the resident that there were three dogs still inside the structure and no other human occupants. Engine 9 personnel located the fire in the living room and quickly extinguished all involved materials. Quint 14 was assigned to serve as the Rapid Intervention Team (RIT). A search was then performed and FFE Darin Honeycutt located two of the dogs and removed them to the exterior. FF Tyler Toon, who was also performing a search with Engine 5 personnel, located the third dog and removed it from the structure. All three dogs were uninjured.

All power was shutoff to the residence by means of the electrical panel. Engine 9, Engine 5, Ladder 5, and Quint 14 personnel then began salvage and overhaul operations, moving all undamaged contents away from the affected area to other rooms or outside the structure. Command gathered information about the fire from the homeowner who stated that he had been asleep in his bedroom when an activated smoke detector awoke him to the smoke and fire in the living room. He stated that the electrical outlet was sparking, and the wall and drapes were involved in fire. He then exited the structure and dialed 911. The smoke detectors that alerted him to the fire in the living room were actually installed the day prior on 12/18/2015 by Chattanooga Fire Department personnel conducting a smoke alarm distribution event in the East Lake neighborhood. The property owner lived in this residence with his son and three dogs. All parties denied the assistance of the Red Cross stating they had somewhere to stay and assistance with essential items. Command provided them with an After the Fire Brochure and made it clear that the Red Cross could be contacted at a later time if needed. Command also informed the homeowner that a certified electrician needed to fix all electrical issues before power could be restored to the residence. Command was then terminated and Engine 9 returned to service at 1737 hours. The dollar loss from the fire is estimated at $15,000.