On May 10, several Walker County (Ga.) fire units were dispatched to a reported house fire at 306 Alabama St., just a couple of blocks off of Highway 27 in northern Georgia. The first company on the scene was Walker County Engine No. 7. A lieutenant reported heavy involvement of the structure and immediately started pumping the truck. Firefighters Jason Kirby and Terry Carter quickly started an interior attack through the front door with 1 3/4-inch hoseline. One of the second units on the scene was Walker County Fire Chief Randy Camp.

Chief Camp initiated a secondary attack with another hoseline. Within seconds a collapse in the rear of the structure indicated the fire was already well seated and had a strong jump on the firefighters. Chief Camp requested a second alarm assignment to the scene as well as additional mutual aid from the neighboring East Ridge (Tenn.) Fire Department.

During the collapse, extreme heat and flames were forced toward Kirby and Carter's attack position inside the structure, and Kirby received some burns. Kirby and Carter continued to fight the flames for several minutes until additional fire crews arrived on the scene. Kirby was then transported to Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Within a few minutes, several additional fire crews arrived on the scene, including additional firefighters from the East Ridge (Tenn.) Fire Department. More than 30 firefighters battled the fire for nearly 90 minutes before bringing it under control. The structure was destroyed, but firefighters were able to save many of the family’s valuables.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation by Walker County fire officials.