Chattanooga firefighters battle early morning blaze

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF) – A Chattanooga family was nearly killed Thursday morning after a blaze erupted inside their home.

It happened shortly after 3 A.M. in the 1200 block of Crutchfield Street.

Chattanooga police officers are being credited for saving the lives of the three adults and one child who were in the house.

Details are still being obtained on exactly what happened, but Chattanooga Fire Department Lt. Darwin Sanders said the family could not get out of the house, because fire was blocking their way out the front and back doors, and all the windows were blocked by security bars. Lt.

Sanders said three Chattanooga police officers ran around the house and located the family, trapped in a back bedroom. They reportedly used a crowbar to pull off the security bars and then helped each family member through the small window

According to Lt. Sanders, the family members appeared to be suffering from smoke inhalation, and at least one had a few relatively minor cuts while getting through the window.

All of the victims were transported by Hamilton County EMS to Erlanger Medical Center.

An update on their condition was not available, but firefighters on the scene say their injuries did not appear to be life-threatening.