On Sunday, December 3,2006 at11:00 pm the Catoosa County Fire Department was dispatched to a possible trailer fire in the 1600 block of Yates Springs Road. Within minutes, Senior Firefighter Brian Slatton was on the scene. FF Slatton quickly reported a well involved camper trailer with a major exposure problem. The "Fifth Wheel Trailer" was parked directly next to a house. FF Slatton quickly grabbed a garden hose and attempted to keep the fire from spreading to the house.
Within seconds, Catoosa Engine 1 and Ladder 1 arrived on the scene. Crews immediately pulled an inch and 3/4 hose line from engine 1 and started a primary attack. Meanwhile, additional firefighters pulled another line and started controlling the exposure to the house. The trailer was already heavily consumed by the blaze, but firefighters were able to make a quick knock down on the flames. Additional firefighters and equipment arrived on the scene quickly and crews assisted with extinguishing efforts.
Catoosa County Firefighters were able to completely extinguish the flames in about 8 minutes, but worked for thirty to forty minutes after extinguishing hot spots. Electrical power lines leading to the house caused concern for a short time due to the lines crossing the driveway in the area where the trailer was parked. Although the trailer was a recreational vehicle, a woman and her child were believed to have been temporarily staying there. Luckily, they were able to escape without injury.
The trailer was considered a total loss and the cause is still under investigation.
