Photo by Amy Maxwell, HCOEM
Photo by Amy Maxwell, HCOEM
Photo by Amy Maxwell, HCOEM
Shortly after a strong thunderstorm formed atop Signal Mountain on Monday, a 911 call was received about a possible lightning strike at Alexian Village, located in the dining hall and main kitchen building.
Signal Mountain Fire Department responded to the scene at 9:04 a.m. and received a report from Alexian maintenance personnel. He alerted fire officials to heavy smoke coming from inside the kitchen/dining room building.
Since this was a three-alarm fire, a major mutual aid response was requested from Signal Mountain FD. Walden's Ridge Emergency Services, Chattanooga Fire Department, Red Bank Fire Department, Dallas Bay Fire Department, Dunlap Fire Department, Mutual Chief Eric Mitchell Fire Department, Dewey Woody Fire Department and others responded with personnel on the scene. Catoosa County and East Ridge were on standby at the Signal Mountain Fire Station in case of additional emergency calls.
Signal Mountain FD Chief Larry Sloan confirmed that heavy smoke was coming from the roofline above the kitchen/dining building. Fire officials asked 450 residents of Alexian Village to evacuate their apartments in case the fire spread to adjacent buildings.
Firefighters worked quickly to extinguish the fire, and Fire Command reported the fire was under control at 10:42 a.m. No injuries were reported, but HCEMS was dispatched to the scene to check on fire personnel for possible injuries.
The dining room and kitchen suffered extensive fire and water damage, and the American Red Cross was on scene to temporarily provide water and snacks to residents as they waited to return to their apartments.
The extent of the damage is unknown at this time. Signal Mountain Fire Chief Larry Sloan will request a fire investigation of the building to determine if the fire was caused by lightning.
At 11:26 a.m., fire officials allowed power to be restored to all of Alexia's apartments except for the kitchen/dining hall building.
