1-5-18 Firefighters Battle Two Major Fires this Morning in Sub-Freezing Temperatures

Battalion Chief Brandon Schroyer said the fire was hidden in the floor and difficult to gain access to. As the flames began to spread into the walls, Chief Schroyer called for a additional fire companies to assist those on the scene who were fighting the fire in 15 degree temperatures. Despite their best efforts, the fire spread up into the attic and raced across the top of the large, two-story house. Those firefighters who arrived first fought the blaze in the frigid weather until their shift ended at 7:00 a.m. They were replaced by another shift of firefighters, who resumed the firefighting operation for several more hours. The house was considered a total loss.

Water runoff from the firefighting operation froze on the ground, pavement and fire equipment. One firefighter was injured when she slipped on the ice and hit her head. She was transported to a local hospital for observation, but her injuries are not life-threatening.

The house was unoccupied at the time of the fire. The couple who owned it said they were planning on selling the house next week. A track hoe with the city's Public Works Department was called in to raze the structure. The purpose was to make it easier for firefighters to put out hot spots, and also to remove potential hazards to the public, such as unsupported brick walls. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Chattanooga police, Hamilton County EMS, EPB and Hamiltion County's Rehab Unit also provided valuable assistance on the scene.

While firefighters were still working to put out hot spots on this fire, the department received another alarm at 10:48 of a structure fire at 1048 Hurricane Creek Road. Some of the fire crews packed their gear and headed for that fire, which turned into a 2-alarm blaze. Fortunately, no one was injured in that fire.

* Photos by Captain Teri Rose and Captain Chuck Hartung

** Details on the second major fire on Hurricane Creek Road will be provided in a separate news release.

###

Note: You are welcome to use any photos or video clips that might be attached to this news release. If you choose to use them, please provide proper attribution.

Thanks,

Bruce Garner
Public Information Director

Chattanooga Fire Department

Office: 423-643-5625

Cell: 423-421-4278

Email: bgarner@chattanooga.gov

910 Wisdom Street

Chattanooga, TN 37406

Chattanooga Fire Dept on Facebook

https://twitter.com/ChattFireDept

http://www.chattanooga.gov/fire-department