ORFD Archives - Oak Ridge Today

ORFD warns of fraudulent carbon monoxide safety campaign

Posted at 1:43 pm July 19, 2019
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The Oak Ridge Fire Department is warning residents about a potentially fraudulent safety campaign. Firefighters were made aware this week that an unknown person claiming to be with the fire department is going to door to door, attempting to speak with homeowners about carbon monoxide detectors, a press release said.

The Oak Ridge Fire Department is not currently operating any door-to-door safety campaigns in our area, the press release said. ORFD personnel will also never try to sell items to residents.

[Read more…]

Firefighters use back burns to help contain Elza Gate fire

Posted at 4:31 pm March 25, 2019
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Firefighters used back burns, controlled fires that eliminate fuel, to help contain a large fire that burned grass and brush near the railroad tracks at Elza Drive in east Oak Ridge on Friday afternoon, March 22, 2019. This view is looking south toward Melton Hill Lake/Clinch River from near Elza Drive. There is a Y intersection in the train tracks in the area of the black smoke. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge/Oak Ridge Fire Department)

The large grass fire was reported on the steep embankment along the railroad tracks east of Elza Gate Park at about 3:30 p.m. Friday. The fire sent up a large plume of black and gray smoke that was visible for miles.

“Flames were moving quickly, fueled by strong winds and excess brush in the area,” the Oak Ridge Fire Department said.

Crews started attacking the fire from several locations, the ORFD said. When flames spread to the railroad bridge over Elza Drive, firefighters were able to save it by walking out onto the bridge and extinguishing the flames. [Read more…]

No injuries reported, dog rescued in apartment fire

Posted at 1:29 pm February 13, 2019
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No injuries were reported and a dog was rescued from a fire in an apartment building on Florida Avenue in late January, firefighters said. (Photo via City of Oak Ridge/Oak Ridge Fire Department)

No injuries were reported and a dog was rescued from a fire in an apartment building on Florida Avenue in late January, firefighters said.

The fire in a four-unit apartment building was reported at about 9:43 p.m. Thursday, January 31, the Oak Ridge Fire Department said.

The first firefighting unit was at the building within minutes and found heavy fire and smoke coming from the building, the ORFD said. [Read more…]

ORFD to host ‘Stop the Bleed’ class on Sept. 18

Posted at 2:32 am September 10, 2018
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The Oak Ridge Fire Department will host a “Stop the Bleed” course on Tuesday, September 18, at 6 p.m. Participation is limited to 20 people, and there is no cost involved in taking the course.

Stop the Bleed is a national awareness campaign and call-to-action, a press release said. Stop the Bleed is intended to cultivate grassroots efforts that encourage bystanders to become trained, equipped, and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives, the press release said.

“No matter how quickly emergency crews are able to respond, bystanders will always be first on the scene,” the press release said. “An injured person can die from blood loss within minutes, so working quickly to stop the bleeding is imperative. By learning what simple actions to take following a traumatic injury, you may be able to save a life.”

Stop the Bleed classes are taught at Oak Ridge Fire Department Station 3, which is located at 333 Tuskegee Drive in Oak Ridge. To register for one of the free courses, call (865) 425-3520 or send an email to [email protected].

Smoke alarm likely saves life in East Drive house fire

Posted at 11:11 am August 24, 2018
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A smoke alarm saved a life in a fire at a home on East Drive early Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018, the Oak Ridge Fire Department said. (Photo by Tom Scott/ORFD Photographer)

A smoke alarm saved a life in a fire at a home on East Drive early Thursday, the Oak Ridge Fire Department said.

The fire was reported at the home at about 1:52 a.m. Thursday. The first Fire Department unit was at the house within minutes and found heavy smoke and fire coming from the home.

The resident was outside when fire crews arrived, the ORFD said. He said a smoke alarm woke him up.

The home received extensive damage. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, the ORFD said.

The Oak Ridge Fire Department said it would like to remind everyone of the importance of having a smoke alarm in their home. [Read more…]

Rope rescue used to remove injured Jeep driver from steep hill

Posted at 2:54 pm August 14, 2018
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A rope rescue system was used to help remove an injured Jeep driver who had driven over a steep hill near Edgemoor Road in east Oak Ridge at about 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018, authorities said. (Photo courtesy Oak Ridge Fire Department)

A rope rescue system was used to help remove an injured Jeep driver who had driven over a steep hill in east Oak Ridge on Sunday, authorities said.

Oak Ridge 911 dispatchers received a call at about 7 p.m. Sunday that a 4×4 that had driven over a steep hill near Edgemoor Road. The Oak Ridge Fire Department, Oak Ridge Police Department, and Anderson County Emergency Medical Services responded. When crews arrived, they found a Jeep that was occupied by two adults and two dogs about 50 feet down a steep grade, the Oak Ridge Fire Department said. [Read more…]

ORFD swimmers rescue stranded canoeist

Posted at 3:12 pm April 13, 2018
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Two Oak Ridge Fire Department swimmers rescued a man who had fallen out of a canoe near Clark Center Park in south Oak Ridge on Thursday afternoon, April 12, 2018, authorities said. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge/Oak Ridge Fire Department)

Two Oak Ridge Fire Department swimmers rescued a man who had fallen out of a canoe near Clark Center Park in south Oak Ridge on Thursday afternoon, authorities said.

The man, who was not identified, cannot swim, but he was wearing a life jacket, the City of Oak Ridge said in a press release Friday. He was hanging onto a fence post in the water after falling out of his canoe, but he was cold and could not get himself back into the overturned canoe or to the shore, the press release said.

The Oak Ridge 911 dispatch center had received a call that a canoe had overturned in the cove at the entrance to Clark Center Park at about 3:35 p.m. Thursday.

Oak Ridge Fire Department Captain Jason Benjamin has been training a crew of firefighters to become rescue swimmers during the past 24 months, and their training was put to the test on Thursday, the press release said. [Read more…]

Woman escapes, pets evacuated after lightning strikes home, sparking fire

Posted at 2:56 pm September 5, 2017
By John Huotari 2 Comments

A woman escaped and pets were evacuated after lightning struck a home on Albion Road in east Oak Ridge on Tuesday morning, Sept. 5, 2017, likely destroying the residence, authorities said. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

A woman escaped and pets were evacuated after lightning struck a home in east Oak Ridge on Tuesday morning, sparking a fire and likely destroying the residence, authorities said.

The lightning strike was reported at 105 Albion Road at 9:39 a.m. Tuesday. The home is just north of Emory Valley Road and just west of Melton Lake Drive.

The lighting strike occurred roughly in the center of the home, and it started an attic fire that spread across the house.

The female resident was watching television and she felt it, said Gary Williamson, Oak Ridge Fire Department engineer and investigator. She got out of her chair to investigate and saw smoke coming out of outlets and vents. The woman, who was reported to be okay, went to a neighbor’s house.

Oak Ridge Fire Chief Darryl Kerley arrived quickly and reported that the fire was already through the roof, Williamson said. [Read more…]

Man dies after fire at Manhattan Apartments

Posted at 11:06 am August 13, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

A 61-year-old man died after a fire was reported at the Manhattan Apartments on Saturday morning, authorities said.

An alarm sounded in one of the apartments at about 7:50 a.m. Saturday, according to information from the Oak Ridge Fire Department that was provided by City of Oak Ridge spokesperson Sarah Self.

Oak Ridge Police Department officers found heavy smoke inside the apartment when they arrived Saturday morning, and the Oak Ridge Fire Department was dispatched.

Nearby residents were evacuated while firefighters made entry to the apartment and extinguished the fire. A man was found inside, the city said. [Read more…]

Family escapes house fire thanks to smoke alarm installed by ORFD

Posted at 3:40 pm February 17, 2017
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An Oak Ridge family of three was able to get to safety overnight thanks to a smoke alarm that was installed in their home by the Oak Ridge Fire Department, city officials said Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge/Oak Ridge Fire Department)

An Oak Ridge family of three was able to get to safety overnight thanks to a smoke alarm that was installed in their home by the Oak Ridge Fire Department, city officials said Friday.

The structure fire at 128 Newberry Circle was reported to 911 at 1:10 a.m. Friday, February 17, the City of Oak Ridge said in a press release. When they arrived, firefighters found the fire to be mostly extinguished with moderate smoke throughout the home.

The residents said after the smoke alarm woke them up, they found the fire and poured a pan of water on it as they dialed 911 and exited the home. The two adults and one child were waiting outside the house when firefighters arrived. The first crew on the scene finished extinguishing the fire and cleared the home of smoke. [Read more…]

Fire apparently starts with oily rags, causes heavy damage to Eagles building

Posted at 8:46 pm August 13, 2016
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

A fire caused heavy damage to the Fraternal Order of Eagles at 1650 Oak Ridge Turnpike early Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, authorities said. Damage is visible from a side door at the Eagles at about 4 a.m. Saturday. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Note: This story was last updated at 2:30 p.m. Aug. 14.

A fire that appears to have started with oily rags being stored improperly in a kitchen caused heavy damage to the Fraternal Order of Eagles on Oak Ridge Turnpike early Saturday, and the structure may have to be rebuilt, authorities said.

The fire was reported at about 2 a.m. Saturday at 1650 Oak Ridge Turnpike. The Eagles building, which has yellow siding, is the first building on the right side of the Turnpike as you head toward Kingston from Illinois Avenue.

There was heavy smoke coming out of all sides of the building when firefighters arrived, Oak Ridge Fire Chief Darryl Kerley said.

An Eagles member said the building had an alarm system, but there is no record of the alarm company calling 911 to report the fire, the Oak Ridge Fire Department said in a press release. Instead, a passing motorist saw the heavy smoke coming from the building and called 911 to report the fire. [Read more…]

Fire Department rescues four stranded at night on boat in Clinch River

Posted at 6:16 pm August 11, 2016
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The Oak Ridge Fire Department rescued four people stranded on a boat Wednesday night on the Clinch River, authorities said.

There was an initial call of someone possibly missing Wednesday night, and the Oak Ridge Police Department called the Oak Ridge Fire Department to help locate the stranded occupants of the boat, authorities said.

The people in the boat were able to stay in touch with dispatchers using a cell phone. Someone in the boat had a flashlight, and they used it to help alert rescuers to their location. They told dispatchers they could see a bridge. Rescuers thought that must be either the Edgemoor Road or Solway bridge.

The boat’s occupants reported being in a cove near houses, said ORFD Firefighter and Engineer George Carroll. [Read more…]