02-11-2013 Update on Boynton Terrace Apartment Fire

After igniting on the stove, the fire then spread from the stove to the kitchen area before being extinguished. Two Chattanooga firefighters found the apartment resident, Wayne Emilien, in bed. Captain Don Bowman said the man was either unconscious, or in a deep sleep, possibly from breathing in the toxic smoke. The firefighters carried the victim out of the apartment, administered oxygen to him, and then handed him off to paramedics with Hamilton County EMS. The victim was then transported to Erlanger Medical Center, where he was treated and released for smoke inhalation.

[Original Release]

For Immediate Release

February 10, 2013

Firefighters Save Man from Apartment Fire

Chattanooga firefighters were called to a reported apartment fire at Boynton Terrace Apartments (951 Boynton Dr.) around 7:00 Saturday morning. The fire was on the 7th floor, so the firefighters made their way up seven floors using the stairwell.

When they arrived outside the apartment, Lieutenant Brian Pemberton and Senior Firefighter Larry Olivier with Ladder 1 could hear a popping noise, confirming for them that there might be a fire inside. Using a master key to gain entry, they saw that the kitchen was on fire. They called for additional manpower and requested a second alarm response.

As additional firefighters rushed to the apartment, Lt. Pemberton and Senior Firefighter Olivier found the resident, an adult male, apparently asleep in his bed. The firefighters quickly carried the victim out and then put him on oxygen. After that, the victim was handed over to paramedics with Hamilton County EMS, which transported him to Erlanger Medical Center. Captain Don Bowman with Ladder 1 said the victim would not have survived if he had been in that smoke-filled apartment much longer.

The fire was quickly extinguished by the other firefighters, with the fire damage contained mostly to the kitchen area in that apartment. Most of the second alarm fire companies that were responding were then cancelled.

Captain Bowman said the smoke alarm in the victim's apartment unit did not have an audible alarm. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Note to Media: I apologize for getting this release out late. As you already know, it's been a busy 24 hours for us and several fire departments in the area. However, considering a man's life was saved in this particular incident, I thought it was worth sending this to you, even if it is late.

P.S. I do not have the victim's name and I do not know anything about his condition at the hospital.

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