Look Who it Was Random video

Chattanooga Firefighters Delayed in Apartment Fire

411 views · Published 8 April 2013 · 2:12 · Indexed 23 October 2026

Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2013 · News & Politics

Watch on YouTube

by Mikaya Thurmond Firefighters are known for their quick response and willingness to jump into action. But sometimes, things out of their control keep them from doing their jobs as fast as they can. That's exactly what happened during a house fire in Chattanooga, Thursday night. Homeowners say they're heartbroken knowing firefighters were delayed bringing aid to their house.Billows of smoke poured out of this Chattanooga Apartment. After using a thousand gallons of water from tanker trucks, fire crews worked to get another truck hooked up to a fire hydrant. But, fire officials say onlookers and parked cars got in the way.They were hampered initially by motorist and on-lookers who saw all the fire, particularly a semi-truck in the blaze. Their vehicles were in the way. So the firetruck could not get close enough to begin fighting the fire, says Bruce Garner a spokesman for the Chattanooga Fire Department.Garner says they were delayed several minutes, but when fighting a blaze, minutes and even seconds matter. The fire captain was forceful about hitting the siren and getting on the P.A system. He probably yelled out pretty loudly for them to get out of the way, adds Garner. As you can imagine, the delay was tough for the homeowner to hear. Dawn Jones is disappointed. Speechless. In awe. Everyone does it in Chattanooga, unfortunately it cost me dearly.Garner says there's a lesson to be learned. It really is your duty to get out of the way because somebody is in trouble. Something Jones now knows too well. You never know what will happen. so if you do hear fire engines, if you do see that they are trying to get down the street, do your best to move your vehicle so someone else doesn't have to go through what I went through, says Jones.

More from this channel