Man in Critical Condition after Early Morning Apartment Fire

Damaged apartment after fire on Bailey Ave. (Courtesy: Chattanooga Fire Department)

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A Chattanooga man is in an area hospital with critical conditions after a fire early this morning. Chattanooga firefighters responded to a call at the 1400 block of Bailey Avenue that originated at 3:46 AM Friday morning, July 15. When firefighters arrived at the scene, they found black smoke coming from the first floor of a two story apartment complex.

First responders quickly learned there was one person entrapped by the fire by other residents that had escaped. Crews battled through heavy smoke that covered the apartment from the ceiling to the floor. The victim was found unresponsive and carried out within 10 minutes of the firefighters arriving.

Crews administered CPR and the man was transported to an area hospital. He is currently in critical condition. The Chattanooga Fire Department says that according to other residents in the apartment, the injured man stayed behind in the apartment to make sure everyone else escaped and to try to put the fire out.

Firefighters were able to control the fire within minutes, having to contain it within the room of origin. There is extensive damage to the apartment on the first floor.