posted July 2, 2009
Fire caused substantial damage Wednesday night to a large, two-story house located on the south end of Missionary Ridge.
Richard and Bea Chadburn told firefighters that they were downstairs and getting ready to go to bed when they heard the sound of a smoke alarm upstairs. When they went to investigate, they said they could "feel the heat." They quickly got out of the house and observed flames coming from the attic vent on the side of the house.
The Chattanooga Fire Department was notified at 10:45 p.m. and responded to 1732 Clayton Ave. with four fire companies. Battalion Chief Mike Knox said flames were burning through part of the roof as the first arriving firefighters made their way into the house to make an interior attack.
Chief Knox said the intense heat and flames burned holes in two hose lines as the firefighters worked to get the blaze under control. Due to the size of the fire and the hot, muggy weather, Chief Knox called for two additional fire companies to assist the firefighters on the scene with manpower and equipment.
One firefighter collapsed during the operation and was treated on the scene for heat exhaustion and dehydration by paramedics with Hamilton County EMS. Another firefighter sustained second-degree burns to both hands and was transported by EMS to Erlanger Hospital for treatment.
The firefighters were able to save part of the house, but the damage was substantial. The loss to the building and contents was estimated at around $150,000. Lt. Henry McElvain with the Fire Investigation Division said the cause of the fire appears to be accidental, though what sparked the blaze remains undetermined.
Chattanooga Police and Chattanooga-Hamilton County Rescue also provided assistance on the scene.
Ms. Chadburn said the house is located near the Georgia line and that a 911 dispatcher first summoned a Walker County fire crew. She said she called back and the Chattanooga unit finally reached the house.
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