Oak Ridge Today

Lower fire classification in Clinton could lower home owners’ insurance premiums

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A lower community classification for Clinton and its fire department could translate, overall, into reductions in insurance premiums for home owners, a press release said.

The Insurance Services Office Inc., or ISO, notified the city and the Clinton Fire Department of the new community classification, which is 02/2X. That’s lower than the previous classification of 4, the press release said.

The new classification follows a recent analysis of the structural fire suppression delivery system for the City of Clinton. [Read more…]

Woman, dog escape, but house burns in Thursday fire

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Holbrook Lane House Fire

A woman and her dog escaped with no injuries from this house fire on Holbrook Lane between Oak Ridge and Clinton on Wednesday evening, but the home was heavily damaged and possibly destroyed. (Photos by Tom Scott)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 2:50 p.m. Nov. 21 with a possible cause of the fire.

A woman and her dog escaped a raging house fire on Holbrook Lane on Thursday evening, but the home was heavily damaged and possibly destroyed. It was the third house fire between Oak Ridge and Clinton in less than two weeks, and the second in two days.

Flames were shooting through the roof of the hilltop home at 309 Holbrook Lane when firefighters arrived, said Stephanie Fox, assistant chief of the Marlow Volunteer Fire Department. Thick smoke billowed high into the air, and a dark plume could be seen as far away as Oak Ridge. Firefighters battled the blaze using what is known as a defensive attack, meaning they didn’t go inside.

Fox said the homeowner, whose identity wasn’t immediately available, was downstairs when the fire started. She heard glass break and went upstairs and saw flames, Fox said. The woman, estimated to be in her 50s, went back downstairs to get her dog and exited the house through the door of the walk-out basement. She was not taken to the hospital and was going to stay with relatives overnight, Fox said. [Read more…]

Clinton Fire Department has open house Oct. 18

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The Clinton Fire Department will have its annual Open House on Saturday, October 18, from 10 a.m. through 2 p.m. at Clinton Fire Station No. 1 located across from Big Lots and Hammers.

The Fire Department will have inflatables, food, games, live demonstrations, Sparky the Fire Dog, and fire safety and prevention education. The public will also get to tour the station, play on the trucks, and meet their firefighters.

This event is free, and all ages are invited to the rain-or-shine event. For more information, contact Daniel Adams at the Fire Department at (865) 457-2131.

Update: Lamar Deal dies after accident

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Information from WYSH Radio

A tragic accident Thursday afternoon at Deal’s Small Engine in Clinton killed owner Lamar Deal.

A report from the Clinton Fire Department indicates that while unloading lawn mowers from a tractor trailer at the business at around 1:30 p.m. Thursday, a cable snapped, and Deal was struck in the chest by a hook attached to a forklift pulling a palette.

When emergency responders arrived, they found two people applying pressure to the wound and immediately began lifesaving measures.

Crews called for Lifestar to land at Lakefront Park to transport Deal to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, but as the chopper landed, he became unresponsive. Rescue personnel began CPR and transported him to UT by ambulance.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Lamar Deal, a longtime client and friend of WYSH Radio, especially his wife Barbara. As soon as funeral arrangements are announced, we will pass them along to you.

Spotlight: Clinton Fire Department trained in advanced vehicle extrication

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Clinton Fire Department Advanced Vehicle Extrication

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Six Clinton firefighters are now certified in advanced vehicle extrication. Clinton Fire Department Capt. Anthony Braden, Lt. Bradley Allen, Lt. Josh Bray, Firefighter Brad Bittinger, Firefighter J.C. Townsend, and Firefighter Brice Kidwell completed 20 hours of advanced level training in Cookeville, Tenn.

“In addition to being better prepared to handle most any emergecy extrication situation, all six members are now eligible to become trainers in the level of basic vehicle extrication,” Fire Chief Archie Brummitt said. [Read more…]

Firefighting class to be offered in Clinton

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The Clinton Fire Department is planning to host a 64-hour basic firefighting class. The dates, times, and cost for the training will be based on the number of people who take part.

This course is designed to provide basic fire ground skills necessary to operate and perform on the fire ground. The program is geared to volunteer firefighters and others who are unable to attend longer duration programs.

The course covers sections of NFPA 1403: Live Fire Training Evolutions, meeting the basic skill level for the student to participate in “live” fire fighting training activities. This course is a prerequisite for students who wish to attend the 16-hour F111 – Firefighter I Live Burn course at the Academy. The students will receive a certificate for basic firefighting upon successful completion of written and practical testing. [Read more…]

Clinton Fire Department expansion to cut response times

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Information from WYSH Radio

Workers are building an expansion of the Clinton Fire Department’s headquarters that will create a place where three on-duty firefighters can stay during their shifts, including a sleeping area, a kitchen, a day room, and both men’s and women’s bathrooms. The expansion will also create a new office for the Fire Department.

Officials said that expanding the headquarters and creating space for on-call firefighters to remain on the premises should cut down on response times on the western side of the city.

Clinton Fire Chief Archie Brummitt said the department conducted a study of fire hall locations with the Municipal Technical Advisory Service—or MTAS—several months ago that determined that the majority of the calls answered by the department are centered in and around Clinton’s downtown area. [Read more…]

Clinton Fire Department expanding HQ

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Information from WYSH Radio

If you have driven on Hicks Street in Clinton, you have no doubt seen the construction going on behind City Hall.

Workers are constructing an expansion of the Clinton Fire Department’s headquarters that will create a place where three on-duty firefighters can stay during their shifts, including a sleeping area, a kitchen, a day room, and both men’s and women’s bathrooms. In addition, the expansion will create a new office for the Fire Department. Officials say that expanding the headquarters and creating space for on-call firefighters to remain on the premises should cut down on response times on the western side of the city. [Read more…]

Fire causes heavy damage to Clinton home

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Information from WYSH Radio

A fire heavily damaged a home on Forrest Avenue in Clinton on Sunday, but no serious injuries were reported.

The Clinton Fire Department responded to 409 Forrest Avenue shortly after 4 p.m. Sunday. When they arrived, they reported seeing heavy smoke billowing from all sides of the house.

Crews ventilated the structure and extinguished the fire, which is believed to have started in the laundry room. [Read more…]

Small fire causes minor damage at Anderson County jail expansion

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Anderson County Detention Facility Fire

A small fire Monday morning caused minor damage to a section of the Anderson County jail that is being expanded. (Photo courtesy Larry Davidson/Anderson County Sheriff’s Department)

CLINTON—A small fire Monday morning caused minor damage to a section of the Anderson County jail that is being expanded.

A construction worker on the roof of the 212-bed expansion was welding with a torch at about 11:15 a.m. Monday when it set insulation on the outside of the building on fire, Anderson County officials said. The insulation was between vinyl siding and concrete block, said Larry Davidson, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department captain and acting chief jailer.

The fire was contained to the outside of the Anderson County Detention Facility, and no one was injured. There was no water or smoke damage, but the fire burned a small hole in the side of the building, Davidson said. [Read more…]

Motel 6 fire in Clinton causes estimated $550,000 in damages

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Clinton Motel 6 Fire

A fire at the Motel 6 in Clinton on Thursday afternoon caused an estimated $550,000 in damages, authorities said. (Photos by Tom Scott)

A Thursday afternoon fire at the Motel 6 in Clinton that apparently spread from a mulch bed outside the building to the roof and attic damaged at least 20 rooms and caused an estimated $550,000 damage, authorities said.

The two-story hotel is off state Highway 61 near Interstate 75. The fire was reported at about 2:30 p.m. Thursday. No one was injured.

The flames went up the side of the building and, driven by high winds, made it to the attic, where the fire burned through the roof, WYSH Radio in Clinton reported. Officials said at least 20 rooms were damaged by fire, and a large part of the rest of the building received smoke and water damage. [Read more…]

Clinton Fire Department receives $389,000 grant

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Information from WYSH Radio

Clinton officials announced Friday morning that the Clinton Fire Department has received a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response—or SAFER—grant that will pay the salaries and benefits for four more firefighters for the next two years.

The city was notified Friday by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security that the grant award totals $388,944. City leaders thanked the area’s congressional delegation for their assistance in obtaining the funding. There is no local match for the grant.