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| Motel Fire Goes to 2 Alarms in Chattanooga CHATTANOOGA, TENN – Monday, July 7, 2008 - At about 2:30 PM a front desk clerk at the Airport Inn, 7725 Lee Highway noticed smoke coming from the building. Realizing that the two story motel was on fire the clerk began alerting those staying in the hotel. At about the same time, passersby on Interstate 75 and other close by roads noticed the smoke and flames and began calling 9-1-1. The first apparatus to arrive on the scene was Quint 8 with Captain Jeff Eldridge in command. Based on the size of the fire, Captain Eldridge immediately called for a second alarm. Master streams were placed into service from the ladders of Quint 6, Quint 13 and Quint 21. Quint 8 was flowing water from the deck gun and several hand lines were also used to attack the fire. Water was supplied from two hydrants. The majority of the fire was in the northern end of the building and it began to run the attic very quickly. Firefighters made a trench cut in the roof and were able to stop the rapidly spreading fire before it consumed the entire building. The roof did collapse above several rooms and about one third of the building was consumed by fire or completely destroyed by the collapse. Incident command was handled by Battalion Chief Winston Shields and Captain Eldridge was operations command. Also responding for manpower and equipment were Squad 1, Squad 2, Squad 3, Squad 4, Quint 16, Engine 15, Ladder 5, Engine 5, Quint 10, Quint 2, Haz Mat 1 and Haz Mat 2. About 85 firefighters were on the scene. A partial hazardous materials team response was requested by Chief Shields because of the fast moving nature of the fire and the fact that several meth labs have recently been found at this motel. This has not been confirmed as a source of the fire but is being investigated as one possibility. One firefighter was treated by medics from Hamilton County EMS for heat exhaustion and transported to Erlanger Hospital. His condition is unknown at this time. Another firefighter suffering from many of the same symptoms was also treated at the scene but allowed to return to work after spending some time in rehab. Fire Investigators from the Chattanooga Fire Department are investigating the cause. A dollar figure has not yet been placed on the loss. The hotel has been closed while it is being determined if any of it is structurally sound. There were unconfirmed reports from several residents that neither smoke alarms nor the fire alarms sounded. According to Bruce Garner, Public Information Officer for the fire department, Assistant Fire Marshal David Brooks is investigating those complaints. The American Red Cross was called in and is providing assistance to those staying in the motel. Several of those staying there were long term residents. There were no other injuries reported. Assistance was provided at the scene by the Chattanooga Police Department. With temperatures in the mid nineties, working conditions were extremely difficult and the Chattanooga Hamilton County Rescue Squad provided much needed rehab. |
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