Chattanooga (TN) firefighters rescued five people from the balcony of their burning apartment late Sunday night after they became trapped by flames, according to a release from the department.
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On May 14, 2023, at 10:25 PM, Blue Shift companies responded to the Elements of Chattanooga Apartments at 7310 Standifer Gap Road and found a working apartment fire in a second-floor unit in Building 16 at the complex. Firefighters received reports that people were possibly trapped inside; they quickly identified where the fire was and made entry.
Flames prevented crews from getting to the endangered residents, so other firefighters went around to the balcony where three children and two adults were waiting for help. The victims were forced out onto the balcony by fire in the bathroom, preventing them from getting out their front door. Firefighters assisted all five people down a ladder to safety and got the fire extinguished quickly after that.
There were no injuries, and the cause of the fire is under investigation. The apartment of origin sustained damage and the impacted residents are receiving assistance from the apartment complex. No other units were damaged and no other residents were displaced.
Responding units included Quint 8, Quint 6, Quint 21, Squad 13, Ladder 13, Ladder 7, Squad 7, Ladder 19, Squad 19, Engine 15, Battalion 2 and Battalion 1, along with HCEMS, EPB and CPD.
