posted January 1, 2006
Chattanooga firefighters found a mobile home fully engulfed in flames on New Year's Day, but minutes later were able to contain a house fire.
At 1708 E. Shepherd Road, Lot 66, fire companies found a mobile home fully involved with fire when they arrived on the scene. The call to 911 came from a neighbor around 10:40 a.m.
Wesley McJunkin, 35, was at home at the time of the fire, but was able to get out safely, and there were no injuries reported.
Mr. McJunkin reportedly heard a “popping” noise and some sort of “buzzing” sound coming from the hallway. When he went to the hallway to investigate, he reportedly saw fire coming from the breaker box. The fire’s cause appears to have been faulty electrical equipment.
He said he felt that he could have put the fire out with an extinguisher, but did not have one.
Fire officials said Mr. McJunkin "made the right decision and quickly left the home."
By the time fire crews arrived on the scene, the mobile home was engulfed and exposures had to be protected.
Fire spokesman Seth Miller said, "Though Mr. McJunkin’s home was a total loss, fire companies did an excellent job by protecting the two homes on either side. There were only minor damages from the heat to the homes on Lots 65 and 67. A truck parked in front of Lot 65 also had a small amount of damage from the heat."
Mr. McJunkin did not have insurance, and the content loss is estimated at $6,000. He will be staying with some neighbors for the time being, and the American Red Cross has been contacted to assist him with clothing and food, as virtually everything Mr. McJunkin owned was destroyed by the fire. CPD and HCEMS were also on the scene supporting the operations.
Just 20 minutes after the mobile home fire on Shepherd Road came into 911, Chattanooga firefighters were also called to respond to 4366 Shawnee Circle on a reported house fire.
The owner, William Dean, was not at home at the time of the fire, but his mother, Lillie Dean, and his sister, Sarah Parham, who both live there, were at home.
Ms. Parham reportedly heard a loud “pop” come from the dining room. As she investigated the noise, she reportedly saw flames coming from an outlet in that room. She ran and found a fire extinguisher, but, in the time it took her to retrieve the extinguisher, the fire had grown beyond what she felt like she should could handle. So, Ms. Parham immediately got her mother out of the house, and called 911 from the front yard.
Upon arrival, Ladder 5’s crew could see smoke and fire in a front room of the house, and called for incoming companies to bring a “line,” which means to establish water supply from a hydrant. Fire companies made an aggressive interior attack and were able to save the structure and most of the contents. According to Ms. Parham’s account and what fire crews found upon arrival, the fire appears to have been caused by an electrical malfunction in an outlet.
Fire companies also were able to save a puppy that was in the garage at the time of the fire.
The owner, Mr. Dean, and the other occupants of the home will be staying with relatives. The property and contents' loss is estimated at $25,000. CPD and HCEMS were also on the scene supporting the operations.
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