HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn - Saturday, August 29,2009 - 11:30 pm - The Hamilton
County 9-1-1 center started receiving multiple calls of a structure fire in
a duplex at 6627 Harrison Pike off of North Hickory Valley Road in the
Highway 58 Fire District. When the first engine company arrived on the scene
they reported heavy fire through the roof of a single story multi-resident
structure. Crews could see the fire had a head start, however they were
determined not to loss the entire building.
Firefighters quickly pulled an inch and 3/4
hose line and went to work, making a head on attack between the two units of
the duplex. Straight to the front door area where the flames where hottest.
Crews knew if they didn't stop the lateral movement in the attic area the
blaze would consume both sides. The blaze was already well seated in the one
side and had burned a large amount of that side already.
As additional arriving unit joined the
fire attack, a supply hose was laid from a hydrant nearby. With a positive
water supply in place and additional man power arriving, more hoses were
pulled and the predator quickly became the prey. Most of the time you would
think that a blaze like this would bring out a lot of running and mayhem,
however not this fire department. Like taking out a bag of popcorn from the
grocery store these firefighters were calm and precise.
Unfortunately a family pet did succumb to
the fire. The resident was at home at the time the fire broke out, he did
make it out of the apartment and when the fire department arrived he was
trying to re-enter the structure. With the intense heat and flames shooting
out of the structure, that was an extremely unsafe move. Firefighters and
Hamilton County Sheriffs Officers had to hold the man back for his own
safety.
It took firefighters just 45 minutes to
douse the flames, unfortunately the side that the fire started on had
sustained heavy damage. The other side was still in tacked, it had smoke,
water and heat damage, but the residents belongings were saved. One
firefighter did get injured during the battle, but it was a minor injury to
his foot and he is believed to make a full recovery. The cause of the fire
is still under investigation by fire officials.
Story and photos by Bill Carson
