March 13--Two firefighters were treated this morning at a hospital after battling a blaze at a Townsend home.
The unidentified firefighters were taken to Blount Memorial Hospital during the nearly five-hour effort to contain flames at the 235 Boat Gunnel Road home, said Townsend Area Volunteer Fire Department Chief Don Stallions.
One firefighter experienced chest pains while the second succumbed to heat exhaustion, Stallions said.
"Everybody's fine," the chief said. One firefighter was examined and released, while the man suffering chest pains was expected to be released later today.
Stallions said a passer-by reported heavy flames about 7:20 a.m. shooting from the single-story, 1,600-square-foot home. The chief said the homeowner was out of town and a housesitter staying at the "older farm home" was gone when the flames erupted.
"It was close to 100 percent involved when we arrived," Stallions said.
Firefighters from the Blount County Fire Department joined in the battle.
Stallions said the home was "a total loss."
The cause of the blaze has not been determined, but Stallions said there was nothing to indicate the fire was suspicious.
More details as they develop online and in Thursday's News Sentinel.
Copyright 2013 - The Knoxville News-Sentinel, Tenn.
