Warning Following Fire Hose Incident

The Chattanooga Fire Department is reminding the public *NOT* to drive over fire hoses after an incident on Wednesday. At 12:39 PM, firefighters were called to a home in the 5500 block of Miller Drive and spotted smoke on arrival. The resident stated that they heard a pop, spotted flames in the bathroom, called 911 and quickly evacuated the structure with four children. Crews went in and located the small fire and got it out quickly. They then thoroughly checked for extension. There were no injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The American Red Cross will be assisting the impacted residents. Quint 8, Engine 15, Squad 13, Squad 7, Ladder 13, Ladder 5, Battalion 1, Battalion 2 (Green Shift), CFD’s Operations Chief, CPD, EPB and HCEMS responded.

While firefighters were working to establish a water supply to help fight the fire, a driver carelessly ran over a fire hose in the street near the scene. The hose was not charged at the time, meaning that it was flat and did not have water running through it. But driving over a fire hose at any time (charged or uncharged) is illegal and culprits face a citation and fine. Running over a fire hose endangers lives. If a hose is damaged and crews cannot get water to the scene of an active fire, then it puts firefighters at risk, as well as civilians in cases of entrapment. The driver who ran over the fire hose did not stop. Police are working to track them down based on a description of the vehicle from firefighters on the scene and possible damage to their car. PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS!