photo by Bruce Garner
Chattanooga firefighters rushed to Nu Foam Products at 1101 Wisdom Street shortly before 3 p.m. on Thursday, on a reported commercial fire.
Employees told firefighters that a fire broke out in the “looper area” where chunks of foam are cut into blocks. When they discovered the fire, one employee grabbed a portable fire extinguisher and tried to put the fire out, but was unsuccessful. Another employee immediately got to a phone and called 911. This foam is petroleum-based and very flammable, so the potential was there for this to turn into very large fire.
The Chattanooga Fire Department responded with seven fire companies. Battalion Chief Jeff Eldridge said firefighters with hand-held hose lines made their way inside the building and worked quickly to get the fire under control.
There were reportedly only three employees in the building where the fire was located and all got out safely. An estimate on the dollar loss was not available. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Chattanooga police, Hamilton County EMS and Chattanooga-Hamilton County Rescue also provided assistance on the scene.
photo by Bruce Garner