Cold temperatures hampered firefighters’ efforts to put out a house fire shortly after midnight, according to the Chattanooga Fire Department.
Firefighters were dispatched to 3713 Chief Van Lane where flames were visible from the rear of the structure. When firefighters laid the initial fire supply line, they discovered the low temperatures had frozen the fire hydrant, leaving it unusable, according to a fire department news release.
The fire crew established a supply line from another hydrant and then concentrated on saving the house next door.
“Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, the nozzles on the attack lines started to freeze and the water streams were reduced,” said Battalion Chief Mike Knox in the release. “Fire hoses had to be shut down and nozzles had to be replaced.”
The house was considered a total loss, but no damage was reported to the home next door, fire officials said.
Two firefighters suffered minor injuries during the incident – both caused by the frozen conditions. They were taken by Hamilton County EMS to Erlanger hospital where they were treated and released.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and is under investigation by Lt. Henry McElvain with the fire investigation division.