Firefighters respond to rescue at Koch Foods silo in Lookout Valley

Silo Rescue / Chattanooga Fire Department

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Chattanooga firefighters responded to a medical emergency and possible rescue at Koch Foods Inc. in Lookout Valley Friday afternoon.

Crews were dispatched at 2:06 p.m. on April 4, 2025 to the facility at 1001 Birmingham Highway, after a worker fell inside a silo and others were temporarily trapped.

Responders arrived to find one contracted worker injured outside the silo after reportedly falling while attempting to climb down a pipe.

He had fallen about 20 feet, then managed to climb out on his own.

He was transported to the hospital by Hamilton County EMS.

The extent of his injuries is currently unknown.

According to the Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD), inside the silo, three other workers were stuck on a malfunctioning platform 60 feet above the ground.

Firefighters monitored air quality as a supervisor made contact with the workers, who were able to repair the platform themselves and safely descend.

Fire personnel helped the workers off the platform and turned them over to EMS to be evaluated.