A Chattanooga firefighter was injured late last night when he fell from a ladder while fighting a scorching house fire.
The firefighter was transported by Hamilton County EMS to Memorial Hospital, but his injuries were not life-threatening, said Safety Officer Chuck McMillian, and he was treated and released this morning.
The fire started shortly after 11 p.m. Monday at 3515 Battery Drive, said Battalion Chief Mike Knox, and flames were visible at the rear of the house when the first firefighters arrived on the scene.
Chief Knox said the firefighters attempted to pull down part of the ceiling to gain access to the fire, which had reached the attic, but their efforts were hampered by a false ceiling that concealed a second, wooden ceiling, said department spokesman Bruce Garner.
The fire conditions deteriorated quickly when the wooden ceiling was breached, so Chief Knox ordered the firefighters to evacuate the building.
During the evacuation, one firefighter was standing on a ladder, spraying water into the attic and apparently could not hear the evacuation order.
With no time to waste, his fellow firefighters attempted to pull the firefighter off the ladder, but in the process, the firefighter fell backwards several feet onto the floor below and injured his back, Mr. Garner said.
During the fall, the firefighter also had his facemask partially knocked off and he breathed in some of the toxic smoke, Mr. Garner said.
Right after the firefighter hit the floor, the other firefighters quickly pulled him out of the house to safety.