photo by Amy Maxwell
A home was damaged by fire Tuesday evening.
At 6 p.m., a neighbor called 911 reporting a house fire at 4724 Wesleyan Road. The Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department responded and arrived on the scene reporting 25% of the house was involved with fire.
Firefighters quickly established a water line to get the fire under control. Other Tri-Community firefighters entered the house to knock the fire down on the first floor. Unfortunately, the fire quickly spread throughout the attic area and caused the structure to become unstable. So the chief on the scene ordered all firefighters to evacuate the burning home and conduct an exterior attack.
During this time, a mutual aid response was requested to assist the Tri-Community VFD with additional manpower and apparatus to the fire scene. Firefighters from the Highway 58 VFD, Bradley County Fire Rescue and Hamilton County Rescue responded for rehab and with an air truck.
The East Ridge Fire Department and Catoosa County Fire Department were relocated for coverage for the Tri-Community fire district.
Fire officials reported the house had extensive damage and valued at a $250,000 loss. One Injury was reported. A Tri-Community firefighter was transported to the hospital by Hamilton County EMS for heat exhaustion. Fire officials also reported the fire started on the first floor in the back left corner of the home.
The homeowner explained to fire officials his wife left the house at 5 p.m. to meet him for dinner to celebrate their wedding anniversary. Not long after they were enjoying their dinner, their neighbor called about the fire.
The cause of the fire will be under investigation by the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.
The homeowner was insured and will be staying with family.
photo by Amy Maxwell