Injuries, eight displaced families in Wednesday night fire

Campbell Rural Fire Service, Caryville Volunteer Fire and La Follette Fire Departments respond

**Multiple agencies responded to this Wednesday night fire.** **(PHOTO COURTESY OF CVFD CHIEF EDDIE HATMAKER)**

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- Fire crews with the Campbell County Rural Fire Service were dispatched at 9:49 pm Wednesday on a report that the old Coolidge School was on fire. The school, closed decades ago, has since been converted into apartments where several families reside.

(VERY TOP PHOTO COURTESY OF CCRFS CAPTAIN DANIEL LAWSON)

Even though fire crews arrived within seven minutes after the initial call, they found heavy fire coming from the roof of the building. Crews with CCRFS, the Caryville Volunteer Fire Department and the La Follette Fire Department contained the fire to the building as all occupants made it out of the structure.

**Two people suffered injuries. (PHOTO COURTESY OF CVFD CHIEF EDDIE HATMAKER)**

One occupant was checked by a first responder with Campbell Emergency Management Agency for minor smoke inhalation, and one firefighter suffered a knee injury and was transported by Campbell EMS to the La Follette Medical Center Emergency Room.

Eight families were displaced, and the Red Cross is taking care of the ones that needed a place to stay.

**Everyone made it out of the apartments.** **(PHOTO COURTESY OF CVFD CHIEF EDDIE HATMAKER)**

Responding agencies include the Campbell County Rural Fire Service, La Follette Fire Department, Caryville Volunteer Fire Department, Campbell EMS, Campbell EMA, Campbell County Sheriffs Office and the Red Cross.

There are still some hot spots on the roof area that firefighters could not safely access. However, the fire is contained to the building and will only smolder.