From Local 3 News: The Chattanooga Fire Department says that one man was left with severe injuries Thursday morning after a fire at TS USA on Wind
From Local 3 News: The Chattanooga Fire Department says that one man was left with severe injuries Thursday morning after a fire at TS USA on Windtower Drive in Chattanooga.
There were reports that one of the workers was burned and his fellow employees were trying to help him.
“When they arrived on scene some of the employees did encounter a fire and put that fire out with some fire extinguishers, and three other people that were attempting to put the fire out also got some injuries as well,” said Phil Hyman, Fire Chief for Chattanooga Fire Department.
CFD crews began their examination and care of the man and went inside the facility to ensure the fire had been extinguished.
The company has a salt bath nitriding line. Large cylinders contain a hot solution that reacts with water.
CFD says that it appears there was a chemical reaction, causing an explosion.
“When we get these type of calls that come in as fires, we don’t know what they may turn into and this was a unique situation that went from a commercial fire to an actual hazardous materials incident,” said Hyman.
Hamilton County EMS transported the one patient with extensive burns.
Three other workers were treated on the scene with minor burns and one firefighter sustained a minor ankle injury.
The building has been evacuated, but there is no danger or threat to the surrounding area.
PREVIOUS STORY: Thursday morning, Chattanooga firefighters were dispatched to an industrial fire on Windtower Drive at TS USA, what they describe as a liquid nitriding facility.
Chattanooga police and the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration are assisting CFD at the site.
The area is at the very western end of Main Street, near the old Alstom site.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
