On July 19, 2006, the northern Georgia area was under a special heat advisory from the National Weather Service. At about 12:15 PM, the Fort Oglethorpe Fire Department received a call of a reported structure fire in the area of Cloud Springs Road and Mack Smith Road. With temperatures already soaring into the mid 90’s, and a heat index of over 100, firefighters rushed to the scene.
Ft. Oglethorpe Engine 1 and Fire Marshal/Assistant Chief Glenn Davis arrived on the scene at 2480 Cloud Springs Road and Chief Davis reported a two story structure about 75 percent involved. Firefighters from Engine 1 began an interior attack while additional lines were stretched. Chief Davis also requested additional tones for manpower and mutual aid from East Ridge, Tennessee Fire Department and Walker County, Georgia Fire Rescue.
Firefighters from East Ridge Engine 1 arrived within minutes, ran a supply line from a hydrant near Cloud Springs Road and Pavine Lane, and began attacking the flames. Shortly thereafter, Fort Oglethorpe Engine 10, Rescue 1 and Truck 10 arrived, along with Walker County Engine 7 and Engine 8. The Fort Oglethorpe Air Light truck also responded. Fire crews battled the flames for quite a while before bringing the fire under control. The heat was also a big problem and Angel EMS checked out several firefighters as they exited the structure. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries.
It appears that the fire started in a fiberglass greenhouse located at the rear of the structure and then spread to the house. The exact cause of the fire is under investigation. There were three people at home when the fire started, all believed to be in their teens. They were able to get out of the house uninjured. Cloud Springs Road was blocked by Fort Oglethorpe Police and they handled traffic control. Chattanooga Hamilton County Rescue from Tennessee provided rehab for the firefighters. The total dollar amount of the damage is unknown but the house is a total loss.
