At 8:20 AM CST on Saturday, Dunlap Fire Department responded to a commercial building fire in the Dunlap Downtown Business District. Smoke was reported coming from the upstairs vents of the Free Spirit Hair Salon at the corner of Rankin Avenue and Cherry Street. Firefighters arrived to find a fire in the upstairs apartment.
Mutual aid was requested from Signal Mountain, Soddy Daisy and Pikeville. Firefighters made entry and located the fire at a stove in a kitchen area and quickly controlled the fire. Mutual aid from all but Signal Mountain was cancelled.
Extensive fire and heat damage was confined to the room of origin with smoke and water damage to the first floor. Occupants were able to escape uninjured however they could not save their fur baby. The owner attempted to save him, but smoke and heat prevented her from saving fur baby “Hank”. Firefighters recovered and removed the pet for the occupants.
Special thanks to Signal Mountain Fire Department, Dunlap Police, Sequatchie County sheriff’s deputies, Seq County Rescue Squad, Seq County EMA and Puckett EMS.
Pictures from Gary Vielhak, Blake Smith, Signal Mtn FD, Seq Co Deputy Hall. Additional pictures by Gary Vielhak are attached.
