A veteran firefighter is recovering today from injuries he received early Thursday while battling a house fire in Tullahoma, Tenn.
At 2:50 a.m. Thursday, firefighters found light smoke coming from the home at 309 Decherd Street, Tullahoma Fire Chief Richard Shasteen said in a statement on the incident.
Firefighters found a small smoldering fire in the attic that appeared to have been burning “for a while,” Shasteen said.
“The smoldering fire had burned long enough to weaken the ceiling joists and as firefighters entered the attic, a 24-year veteran firefighter/engineer fell through the attic to the first floor injuring his shoulder and back,” the chief said.
Fellow firefighters pulled him from the debris and found him conscious. He was first taken to Tennova Healthcare Harton in Tullahoma then he was transported on to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville for medical treatment, according to officials.
Chief Shasteen reported late Friday that firefighter-engineer Tim Pitts was listed in stable condition at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville.
The two residents of the Decherd Street home were awakened by their pet cat and were able to get out safely. They have been relocated, Shasteen said. An investigation is continuing into the cause of the fire but it appears to be accidental, he said.