South Knoxville house fire displaces 11 people, dozens of dogs

VIDEO: One person in custody, and 10 others were left displaced after a fire caused severe damage to a house in South Knoxville early Friday morning. According to officials with Knoxville Fire Department, Knox County dispatch received a phone call just before 3:30 Friday morning about smoke coming from the back of a house on the 200 block of Stone Road. Officials with KFD said when crews arrived, the residents and most of the 33 dogs also living in the home were able to make it out safely. According to a KFD spokesman, during the home evacuation, one of the dogs attacked another dog, at which point the owner, 43-year-old Gregory Leroy, shot the attacking dog. Knoxville Police detained Leroy, charging him with reckless endangerment and stealing a firearm.
WVLT-TV CBS/MyNetworkTV 8 Knoxville

House believed to be one of oldest in Knox County burns

PHOTO: A house believed to be one of the oldest in Knox County caught fire overnight Friday, according to Rural Metro Fire. At around 1:15 a.m., crews responded to the structure fire at the older house located in the 1000 block of Lovell Road in West Knox County. Rural Metro spokesperson Jeff Bagwell stated in a press release shared Friday morning that when crews arrived, they found the house fully engulfed in flames. “We believe this structure is one of the oldest homes in Knox County,” Bagwell said. “Although vacant at this time with no power connected.” Firefighters found flames throughout the second floor and venting through the roof, and were kept “strictly exterior” due to stability concerns of the house. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
WATE-TV ABC 6 Knoxville

Williamson County house fire likely started by lithium battery

Two family pets were killed in a house fire on Wednesday night in Williamson County. Multiple fire crews were dispatched to 5504 Rathkeale Lane just after 8 p.m. on Wednesday and arrived to find heavy fire breaking through the roof of the house, according to Williamson County Fire/Rescue. Atmos Energy and Middle Tennessee Electric were at the scene to ensure all utilities were disabled. Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames and prevented the fire from spreading to neighboring homes, WCFR reported. Two occupants were injured and received treatment at the scene, but two animals were found dead during a search of the structure. No firefighter injuries were reported.
WSMV-TV NBC 4 Nashville

Caryville, Jacksboro firefighters save two homes from fire

PHOTOS: Two homes were in danger of a nearby fire on Wednesday afternoon. At 2:30pm, the call of a fire on Lakewood Road came in to Central Dispatch that an out building was in flames. The out building was a total loss and so was the all-terrain vehicle that was stored inside it as units from the Caryville Volunteer Fire Department with assistance from the Jacksboro Fire Department fought the blaze. Caryville Police and the sheriff’s office responded to handle traffic control. There were no injuries and neither home was damaged. Units cleared the scene at 3:30pm.
WLAF-AM 1450 La Follette

Chattanooga first responders conduct rescue drill at Incline

PHOTOS: Chattanooga first responders conducted a high angle rescue drill at the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway. The Chattanooga Fire Department, Hamilton County EMS, TDOT, CARTA and Lookout Mountain Police all took part in the drill. This exercise simulated the Incline getting stuck on the tracks. First responders had to remove the passengers safely, both with and without ambulance. CFD said the drill was a success and great experience for firefighters.
WDEF-TV CBS 12 Chattanooga

Hendersonville Fire Station No. 5 Introduces First Safe Haven Baby Box in Middle Tennessee

One Middle Tennessee city is bringing the first Safe Haven Baby Box to the Metro Nashville area. Hendersonville is adding a baby box to Fire Station No. 5 located at 1166 Forest Retreat Rd. The department says Hendersonville Mayor Jamie Clary's adoption inspired enthusiasm for the project. My biological mother decided other parents should raise me. Her incredibly loving gesture provided me the life I have, and I am very grateful that she made that decision. This baby box offers new life for other babies. If parents of newborns see a safer and better path for their babies through adoption, I am happy to provide the first step in that process. This baby box will be the start of new lives, similar to the new life that was given to me." -Mayor Clary
WZTV FOX/CW 17 Nashville