Five people were injured Friday morning at a local business by a flash fire. The incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. at a building owned by S&M Properties at 3900 N. Hawthorne Street.
The Chattanooga Fire Department was initially dispatched to a reported “explosion” at that location, and sent several fire companies to the scene.
Battalion Chief Winston Shields said the fire was out when the first firefighters arrived on the scene. As Chattanooga firefighters began treating the victims, Chief Shields requested several ambulances with Hamilton County EMS.
Five employees with C&D Steel Erectors were transported by county ambulances to Erlanger Medical Center.
The workers are Charles Howell who was admitted to Erlanger and listed in fair condition; Anthony Johnson who was admitted to the Burn Unit at Erlanger and listed in critical condition; Tammy Todd who was admitted to the Burn Unit at Erlanger and listed in critical condition; and
John Baker who was treated and released. The fifth employee who was transported by Hamilton County EMS reportedly had minor injuries and was not treated at the hospital. All five individuals were said to be employees with C & D Steel Erectors.
The owner of S&M Properties, Steve Rogers, said the workers were using a cutting torch to disassemble a paint booth when the incident occurred. Captain Craig Haney with the Fire Investigation Division said that while the workers were cutting one of the last support beams, the booth collapsed, and it appears the resulting cloud of paint dust was ignited by the flames of the cutting torch.
There was very little damage to the building, said Captain Haney, thanks to the sprinkler system.
Chattanooga police also provided assistance on the scene.