Investigators find no evidence of reported Wednesday fire at Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute

Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute
Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute

A reported fire at the Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute on Wednesday wasn't actually a fire, Chattanooga fire investigators have determined.

The fire investigator said a patient intentionally broke off a sprinkler head in his room, which also activated the fire alarm, fire department spokesman Bruce Garner said in a news release.

The oily water from the sprinkler system gave off an odor that was similar to what is smelled after a fire, the fire investigator said. And most of the damage was water-related.

No one was injured in the incident, but the patient will be charged with vandalism and making a false report, according to the investigator.

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