Family away from home, dog outside as home catches fire

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- Firefighters with La Follette Fire along with officers with the La Follette Police Department as well as a crew member from LUB were called to the scene of a house fire in the 500 block of East Hemlock Street. The call of seeing flames near a window of the home came in to La Follette 911 just after 5pm Thursday.

TOP PHOTO: La Follette Fire Fighters used water from the units as well as from a nearby fire hydrant.

A couple of blocks of East Hemlock Street, between South 4th Street and South Cumberland Avenue, were shutdown from through traffic allowing firefighters room to operate. Smoke billowed from the structure and could be seen over in downtown.

Just as emergency personnel was getting on scene, a young woman drove up and realized the house on fire was her home. La Follette Police Detective Noah Riggs ran to her asking if there was anyone in the house. She, through tears, said her children were with her in her SUV. Any animals?, he asked. She said their dog was outside.

LFD Units 102, 103 and 105 responded. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-07/30/2026-6PM)