HAMILTON COUNTY, TN - At About 11:30 PM, Wednesday, December 20, 2006, the Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Department had just been alerted to a possible brush fire in their jurisdiction. Before they could gather a crew to check it out, tones were sounded a second time for a residential structure fire in the 9500 block of Snow Hill Road.
Firefighters rushed to the scene to find a 2 story log house about 50 percent involved. Upon the arrival of the first engine company, flames were venting through the roof and one end of the 3800 square foot house. Firefighters were forced to lay about 1800 feet of hose up the driveway from Snow Hill Road. There were no hydrants located anywhere near the residence so firefighters were forced to shuttle water and use two drop tanks.
Highway 58 firefighters did an outstanding job of preventing the fire from spreading to nearby exposures. Unfortunately the fire had such a hold on the building prior to their arrival the firefighting efforts were defensive from the beginning and eventually the entire house was destroyed.
The house which sits on about 9 acres was unoccupied at the time of the fire. The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time and is under investigation. Firefighters remained on the scene until the early morning hours before finally bringing the fire under control.
There were no injuries as a result of the fire. The Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department was requested as a mutual aid company to stand by at Highway 58 Station 2 for coverage. Hamilton County EMS was on scene in case they were needed.
