CHATTANOOGA, Tenn - Tuesday, April 14,2009 - 6:00 pm - City of Chattanooga
Fire Department dispatched several engine companies to a reported fire at
the Dollar general Store on the corner of Highway 153 and Hixson Pike. When
the first units arrived on the scene they confirmed smoke coming from the
large commercial structure. Fire crews quickly made entry into the structure
and quickly tried find the seat of the blaze. Firefighters almost
immediately started using Thermal Imaging Cameras to locate the source.
Unfortunately, several minutes into the
attack, other fire crews outside the structure noticed the roof sagging. The
fire had found its way into the attic area of the building and crews could
not access it quick enough. Command made the decision to pull all the crews
out of the structure for safe reasons. Within seconds of the crews exiting
the building, the situation went south as the roof collapsed causing flames
and embers to shoot into the sky. Luckily all the firefighters were out.
Firefighters immediately went into a
defensive mode and started attacking the fire from the outside. Several
Quints were put in service dumping a large volume of water on the raging
blaze. Meanwhile, fire command knocked out a second alarm. Bringing more
equipment and manpower to the scene. It took fire crews several hours to
finally extinguish the blaze, but fortunately nobody was injured.
Fire officials say a 9 year old boy that
was mad at his mother started the fire. The boy reportedly went to the back
of the store and set rolls of toilet paper on fire with matches he obtained
from inside the same store. The boy reportedly watched the fire grow before
exiting the structure with the other patrons. Charges are pending against
the boy.
Story and photos by Bill Carson
