Lt. Preston Binegar (Ladder 5 Red Shift), Lt. Adam Thomas (Engine 5 Red Shift) and Firefighter Javier Ortiz (Engine 9 Red Shift) received Life-Saving Medals today for rescuing an elderly man trapped in a burning East Chattanooga business. Ladder 5, Engine 5 and Engine 4 personnel also received Meritorious Unit Citations for their actions on the scene.
At 12:30 PM on 10/27/24, Red Shift companies were dispatched to a commercial fire on North Orchard Knob Avenue. Heavy smoke was coming from the eaves of the structure and flames were venting through one of the windows on arrival. Firefighters went inside to attack the fire and conduct a search, finding heavy debris. The building consisted of a business office and a separate bedroom on the other side. Crews combed through the contents and found one victim on the floor covered in debris during a secondary search. Firefighters brought him outside and began CPR. He was transported to the hospital with significant injuries related to smoke inhalation, as well as some burns.
Crews continued fighting the fire and got it under control within 20 minutes, containing the fire to the office area. They targeted hot spots until the fire was extinguished. Engine 4, Ladder 5, Engine 5, Squad 1, Ladder 1, Engine 1, Engine 6, Engine 15, Engine 16, Engine 9, Engine 12, Ladder 13, Engine 10, Squad 19, Battalion 1, Battalion 2, Battalion 3, CFD Investigations and CFD Supply responded, along with CPD and HCEMS. The 81-year-old victim was in critical condition for several days, but sadly succumbed to his injuries Thursday night. We offer condolences to his family and friends. The fire appears to be accidental in nature, related to improperly discarded smoking materials.
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