CFD Responds To Fire At Erlanger Hospital

Thanks to the staff at Erlanger Hospital for quickly taking action to extinguish a small fire in a patient’s room. At 5:03 PM, the Chattanooga Fire Department was dispatched to 975 E 3rd Street for a reported working fire on the third floor. On arrival at the hospital, crews went inside to investigate and found that the fire was already out. Firefighters immediately started ventilating the area and used several fans to clear out the smoke. They also checked for any possible extension and used air monitors to make sure the quality was safe for the staff and patients. Multiple Green Shift companies responded to the scene along with CFD investigators. There were no injuries. The fire was accidental in nature. There was an unused warming light above the ceiling tile over a patient’s bed. A member of the hospital staff came into the room to do work and unknowingly flipped on the switch for the light, which caused two ceiling tiles to smolder. Employees immediately removed the patient from the room and used a fire extinguisher on the tiles.

Erlanger Health System also issued this statement: “At just after 5pm, a very small fire occurred at Erlanger Baroness Hospital on the third floor. It was quickly extinguished by Erlanger staff. The Chattanooga Fire Department checked for fire extension and air quality while ventilating the area. Five patients were moved out of an abundance of caution and there are no injuries and no disruption to patient care. No other operations were impacted and the hospital remains open and ready to care for the community. Thank you to the Chattanooga Fire Department for your quick response and concern for patients, visitors and staff.”

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