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EAST RIDGE, Tenn - Friday, November 18,2011 - 8:00 pm - East Ridge Fire
Department was alerted of a structure fire at the Belvoir Hills Estates, 728
Bacon Trail. Within minutes, the first East Ridge Fire crew was on the scene
and reported a 16 unit, 3 story multi residential wood frame structure with
heavy involvement to the entire west end of the building. Firefighters
immediately started an exterior attack on the blaze. With several additional
crews arriving on the scene, firefighters also quickly started evacuating
people in the fires path. Meanwhile other fire crews discovered a 100 gallon
propane tank that was cooking off, fueling the blaze. By this time fire
command was established and they quickly called for a second alarm
assignment. In short order a third
alarm was also requested, bringing in crews from several additional fire
departments including, Red Bank, Tri-Community, Walker County, Fort
Oglethorpe, Rossville, Catoosa County, Highway 58, Signal Mountain, and
crews from Hamilton County Rescue. Firefighter worked to battle the blaze
for hours and were able to stop the progress of the fire. Firefighting
efforts were extremely difficult due to the location of the structure. The
building was located on a steep part of a ridge with very little access.
However firefighters were quickly able to adapt to the terrain.
Although several units of the
building were involved fire crews saved the east portion of the building.
Crews worked through the night extinguishing hot spots. The American Red
Cross was called to the scene to help several families that were displaced
due to the fire. Memorial EMS and Life Guard EMS both had units on the scene
for assistance while firefighting efforts were in progress. The exact cause
of the fire is still under investigation by fire officials.
Story and photos by Bill Carson
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