The Chattanooga Fire Department responded to a reported propane gas cylinder fire at the Commercial Metals Company at 2000 Washington St. on Wednesday morning.
Firefighters arrived on the scene to find fire coming from a 150-pound propane cylinder next to a large oxygen cylinder located in an open area outside away from any structures. Flames from the fire had heated the oxygen cylinder to the point that the pressure relief valve had activated releasing oxygen which intensified the fire.
Firefighters quickly established a water supply and set up unmanned large volume fire streams to cool the tanks. Lieutenant Evan Rose said the decision was made to allow the fire to continue to burn until the tank was empty. The firefighters continued to cool the tanks until the fire burned itself out.
There were no injuries and no damage to any of the surrounding structures. The Chattanooga Police Department and Hamilton County Emergency Medical Services assisted with the incident.