photo by Bruce Garner
No injuries were reported when a small fire broke out Friday afternoon at Tyner Middle Academy.
The Chattanooga Fire Department received the alarm around 1 p.m. and responded to 6837 Tyner Road with six fire companies. Battalion Chief Rick Boatwright said the fire occurred where an electrical service line connected to the second floor of the East Wing building of Tyner Middle. Chief Boatwright said the fire appears to have burned itself out before firefighters arrived on the scene.
Principal Mark Smith said that someone activated a pull alarm as soon as the fire was discovered and the entire building was evacuated as a precaution. Though the fire appeared to be out, Chattanooga firefighters conducted a thorough inspection where the fire occurred, including the roof, to make absolutely sure the fire had not extended somewhere else. Once it was confirmed the fire was out, the firefighters turned the scene over to school authorities.
Harold Thrower, supervisor over maintenance for the Hamilton County Department of Education, said the East Wing housed seventh and eighth graders. He said EPB would disconnect power to that building until repairs could be made followed by a thorough inspection. In the meantime, Mr. Thrower said the students would be allowed into the cafeteria to eat their lunch, and then move to the gym, which still had power and air conditioning. Mr. Power said they would remain in the gym until school let out at 4 p.m.