photo by Bruce Garner
Chattanooga firefighters responded at 12:16 a.m. Tuesday morning, to a commercial fire at 6209 Lee Highway. When the first firefighters with Quint 8 arrived on the scene, a significant portion of the building was on fire and flames were already shooting through the roof. Captain Ed Jackson called for a second alarm response to bring in additional firefighters and equipment. Lee Highway was completely blocked by 12 fire apparatus, along with other support vehicles with Chattanooga police and Hamilton County EMS.
As the firefighters with Quint 8 started to pull off their hoselines, power lines running to the building broke loose and whipped around on the ground, sending sparks up into the air.
The firefighters had to reposition and avoid the area until a technician with EPB arrived to shut the power off and remove the hazard.
With most of the building engulfed in flames and fire shooting through the roof, Battalion Chief Nate Middlebrooks ordered the fire to be fought defensively. Several aerials were set up to spray large amounts of water from above in an effort to get the blaze under control. Firefighters then took in hand-held hoselines to extinguish flames hidden from the aerials above. It took the firefighters more than an hour to get the bulk of the fire out. No injuries were reported.
The building was home to General Appliance Warehouse on the first level, and Summitt Pianos and Organs on the lower level. Both businesses suffered heavy losses in the fire. An estimate on the dollar loss was not available. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Firefighters will likely remain on the scene for several more hours Tuesday morning to put out hot spots. Chattanooga-Hamilton County Rescue also responded to the scene to supply food and warm drinks for the firefighters.
Click here for video by Bruce Garner.
photo by Chris Willmore