Story and Photos by
JOHN SENTELL

On Wednesday, April 3, 2002, at approximately 3:50 PM, a fire was reported to have started in the 2nd floor of the Ramada Inn located in East Ridge, Tennessee, on a 3 alarm fire. The East Ridge Fire Department was on the scene at 3:55 PM and placed crews on the first and second floors for fire attack and search and evacuation teams. Within minutes of entering the building the roof began caving in forcing the evacuation of the interior crew. Chief Eddie Phillips, of the East Ridge Fire Department, ordered an evacuation of the building to all firefighters inside. The fire then turned into a defensive fire and Chief Phillips called in a second alarm and soon after a third alarm.

The fire was spreading very fast from east to west destroying 60 to 70 rooms or the whole east side of the building. A firewall located next to the lobby saved the other half of the hotel or west end of the building.

No firefighters were injured during the blaze and all hotel personnel and guests were able to evacuate the building without any injuries.

There were 12 Engines, 3 Ladder Companies, and 3 Squads from Fire Departments that responded to assist the East Ridge Fire Department. They were the Fort Oglethorpe - Catoosa County Fire Department (Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia), Walker County Fire Department (Georgia), Tri Community Fire Department, Highway 58 Fire Department, and the Red Bank Fire Department, all from the Hamilton County Tennessee area.