2006
Calls
HICKORY VALLEY HOUSE FIRE
-January 18, 2006
On Wednesday, January 18th, at 4:13 pm, Sharps
Chapel VFD was dispatched to assist Northeast Union VFD on a house fire located
at 719 Hickory Valley Road.
Assistant Chief Kevin Brantley responded with Tanker 52 to shuttle a total of
4,000 gallons of water to the scene. Chief Chris Upton also responded to
assist at the scene.
Paulette VFD was also called to assist with this call. Members help
extinguish the fire and shuttle several thousand gallons of water to the scene.
The home was a total loss. No one was there at the time of the fire, and
no injuries were reported.
MISSING MAN LOCATED IN SUNSET BAY
-January 19, 2006
On Thursday evening, January 19th, Sharps
Chapel VFD was dispatched to assist Union County Sheriff's Department with the
search of a missing man in the Sunset Bay area.
Units from the Union County Rescue Squad, K-9 Units, and a helicopter from Knox
County Sheriff's Department also assisted.
The victim, Donald J. Kasten, age 49 of Johnson City, was apparently disoriented
and had not taken prescribed medication, as he was a victim of mental illness
and bi-polar.
The search continued until approximately 4:00 am and was resumed at daylight.
The man was located around 8:30 am by Deputy Chris Irick of the Union County
Sheriff's Department in a wooded area, lying next to a log and rock. He
suffered from a mild case of hypothermia and was cold and wet, not knowing his
name or where he was.
The man was transported to Claiborne County Hospital by Union County EMS to be
treated.
Sharps Chapel VFD members who responded to the call were: Chief Chris Upton,
Assistant Chief Kevin Brantley, Dustin Ray, Brandon Smith, Debbie Hammontree,
Kenny Crider, Gary Lay, Gordon Sartain and Toby Dykes.
Rescue 51 and Squad 55 were also used in the search from Sharps Chapel VFD.
LEADMINE BEND FIRE CALL
-January 29, 2006
On Sunday, January 29th, Sharps Chapel VFD was dispatched to a
residential fire call at 1360 Leadmine Bend Road.
Chief Upton arrived on the scene at 5:54 pm, after the Department was paged our
at 5:45 pm.
When Chief Upton arrived, nothing was showing from the mobile home. The
Chief cancelled Tanker 52 and advised Engine 51 to downgrade to non-emergency.
A dryer had shorted out in the utility room of the home, causing a small fire
near the outlet. The fire was out prior to the Fire Department arrival.
The firefighters cleared the smoke from the home and checked underneath the home
for safety reasons. The breaker was also pulled to the utility area of the
home.
The homeowner did suffer a slight case of smoke inhalation and was checked out
on the scene. No other injuries were reported. The home was cleared
of smoke and no damage was reported.
Engine 51 responded to the scene, and Tanker 52 was cancelled.
SCVFD members responding were Chief Chris Upton, Assistant Chief Kevin Brantley,
Firefighters Gordon Sartain and Kevin Wenger, Junior firefighters Jacob Wenger
and Cody Collins.
BEER TRUCK ACCIDENT
-February 1, 2006
On Wednesday, February 1, around 10:25 am,
Sharps Chapel VFD was dispatched to a vehicle accident on Sharps Chapel Road at
Shelby Loop Road.
Rescue 51 arrived on the scene and found a Miller Light Beer Truck had lost
control and run off the roadway.
The driver was not injured, and Rescue 51 and Engine 51 were cleared by the
Union County Sheriff's Department to leave the scene, as no damage was done.
The truck was pulled back onto the roadway.
Chief Chris Upton responded in Rescue 51 and Dustin Ray responded in Engine 51.
HIGHWAY 33 TRUCK WRECK
-February 7, 2006
On Tuesday, February 7, 2006 at 8:08 am, Sharps Chapel VFD was
dispatched to assist Northeast Union VFD with a truck accident on Highway 33
near Buckner Road, north of Maynardville.
Paulette VFD, Maynardville Fire Department, and Union County Rescue Squad were
also requested to assist.
Paulette set up a landing zone for Lifestar, and other emergency units worked
for over an hour to extricate the driver.
The driver, Kenneth Miller, age 43 of Knoxville, had lost control of an XPDEX
box truck and run off in a ravine, flipping the truck over on its top.
Miller was flown to UT Hospital by Lifestar to be treated for serious injuries
from the accident.
Highway 33 was shut down for a few hours while the wreckage was cleared.
SC VFD members assisted with extrication and damming a creek, in which some
diesel fuel had spilled.
Sharps Chapel VFD units on the scene included Rescue 51 and Squad 55.
Members responding were Chief Chris Upton, Asst. Chief Kevin Brantley, Assistant
Firefighters Dustin Ray and Kenny Crider.
All emergency departments worked well on this serious accident.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol worked the accident.
HOMES SAVED FROM WILDFIRE IN SHARPS CHAPEL AREA
-March 2, 2006
Sharps Chapel VFD units were called out to a wildfire that had some
homes in danger. The fire took place on Thursday evening, March 2, around
6:58 pm. When Asst. Fire Chief Kevin Brantley arrived on scene, the wind
had picked up and was blowing the fire across the roadway toward several homes
in a small subdivision near the intersection of Stiner Road and Stiner Shores
Road.
Sharps Chapel units called for other assistance. Units from Northeast
Union VFD and the Union County Rescue assisted with the blaze.
According to Chief Chris Upton, the fire had apparently been set on the roadside
and was under investigation. The fire came to within approximately 20 feet
of one home before firefighters had it contained.
Approximately four acres burned in the area. Firefighters were on the
scene for over 1 1/2 hours before clearing the scene.
Several other fires were out of control in Anderson, Blount, Claiborne, Campbell
and Scott Counties over the weekend. State Forestry and Fire Departments
in those counties were out containing those fires.
More than 400 acres were burning into Saturday morning in Anderson County.
Officials claim that lack of rainfall and windy conditions made it hard to
contain the blazes. State officials said some of the fires were
accidental, but others were under investigation at this time.
Firefighters were hoping for much needed rainfall to move into the area by the
beginning of the week.
Please contact the State Forestry to see if burn permits are being issued before
doing any outside burning. The number for Union County is 278-3348.
INVESTIGATION CALL
-March 16
On Thursday, March 16, at 9:03 pm, Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire
Department units were dispatched to 3095 Sharps Chapel Road to investigate smoke
in a residence.
Upon arrival and after investigation, it was found to be an electrical problem
with a heat furnace.
The home was cleared with no damage or injury reported.
Engine 51 responded with Assistant Chief Kevin Brantley; Firefighters
Gordon Sartain, Brandon Smith and Debbie Hammontree; and Junior Firefighter
Jacob Wenger.
PINE CREST BRUSH FIRE
-March 16, 2006
On Thursday, March 16, at 2:08 pm, Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire
Department was requested to assist Northeast Union VFD with a wild land fire.
Firefighter Dustin Ray responded to the scene with Rescue 51.
Approximately 2 acres had burned near 2 homes. The fire was extinguished
and Rescue 51 cleared at 3:28 pm.
SHARPS CHAPEL TRAILER FIRE
-March 18, 2006
Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire Department responded to a trailer fire
located at 137 Home Park Road on Saturday, March 18 at 5:26 am.
Chief Chris Upton arrived on scene with Engine 51 at 5:40 am. Upon
arrival, the trailer was 50% involved with flames. Two attack lines were
pulled and the fire was knocked down at 5:46 am. Assistant Chief Kevin
Brantley responded in Tanker 51 and Firefighter Dustin Ray responded in Tanker
52.
The renter escaped the fire without injury and two surrounding trailers were
saved from any damage. The fire was extinguished and all units cleared at
7:37 am.
Units responding were: Engine 51 and Tankers 51 & 52.
SCVFD Members were: Chief Chris Upton; Assistant Chief Kevin Brantley; Captain
Trevor Dykes; Firefighters Gordon Sartain, Dustin Ray and Brandon Smith; Junior
Firefighters Aaron Sharp, Michael Helton and Ryan Atkins worked on the grounds.
Paulette VFD Chief Matt Lovitt and Firefighter Israel Wilkerson responded in
Tanker 62 to assist as well.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
FATHER AND SON DROWN IN NORRIS LAKE
-April 14, 2006
On Friday, April 14th, Sharps Chapel VFD was dispatched to assist
with a possible rescue call just off Beech Island Road at Pennington 33 Bridge
Marina. The call came out just after 6:00 pm.
SCVFD members arrived on the scene with other units to find no one in the water.
A boat pulling a tube was found running and a float cushion beside the boat.
After an investigation by Union County Sheriff's Department, TWRA and TVA
Police, we found that we were possibly looking for 3 subjects, but later
confirmed only 2.
Subjects were a father and son from Claiborne County: Bryan Lanham, age 42 and
Bobby Lanham, age 19.
The Union County Rescue Squad and Captain Jeff Sharp conducted a full swing
operation. All of the local VFDs and surrounding Rescue Squads began
diving and dragging operations that led through the weekend.
The SETH Foundation was called in on Tuesday, with high-tech sonar equipment,
which aided in the search.
The father was located on Tuesday evening, April 18th and the son was located
Wednesday afternoon, April 19th.
Our prayers are with the family.
UNION CO. SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT DEPUTY INJURED IN
ACCIDENT
-April 15, 2006
On Saturday, April 15th, around 7:42 pm, SCVFD was dispatched to a 1
vehicle accident on Sharps Chapel Road near Lambdin Ridge Road.
Deputy Larry dykes had been en route to assist another officer in a pursuit when
he lost control and flipped his police car.
Asst. Chief Kevin Brantley arrived on scene in Rescue 51, and put Life Star on
stand-by, then requested them on to the Landing Zone.
Units from the Union Co. Rescue Squad handled the extrication, and Larry was
taken to Life Star by Union EMS.
Chief Chris Upton had the Landing Zone ready with Engine 51.
Other SCVFD members at the scene were Trevor Dykes, Debbie Hammontree, Cecil
Robinette and Brandon Smith.
Larry was able to return home on Tuesday evening, April 18th. He has some
broken ribs, a cracked vertebrae and several cuts and bruises, but is expected
to fully recover.
*Get well soon, Larry! From your friends at SCVFD*
EASTER WILDLAND FIRE ENDANGERS
KETTLE HOLLOW HOME
-April 16, 2006
On Sunday evening, April 16th at 9:39 pm, Sharps Chapel
VFD was requested to assist Northeast Union Volunteer Fire Department with what
appeared to be an intentionally-set wildland fire call
near the intersection of Kettle Hollow Road and Chestnut grove Road, North of
Maynardville.
Engine 31 from Northeast VFD staged at a nearby home that was i the path of an
approximately 4-acre-blaze.
All of the firefighters worked hard and brought the fire under control.
Around 3 acres+ burned in the area before being contained by fire units.
The State Forestry Division Crew arrived on the scene and cut a safety line with
a dozer.
All units cleared up around midnight.
Sharps Chapel Units on scene were Rescue 51 and Squad 55.
Sharps Chapel VFD members responding were Chris
Upton, Kevin Brantley, Mason Simpson, Jacob Wenger, Cody Collins and Brandon
Collins.
TRUCK FLIPS ON TOP, DRIVER TRAPPED
FOR SHORT TIME
-May 5, 2006
On Friday, May 5th, around 11:00 pm, Sharps Chapel VFD was dispatched
to a one-vehicle accident on Sharps Chapel Road near Dr. Davis Road.
Chief Upton responded in Rescue 51 to the scene, where the female driver had
lost control of the Ford pick-up truck in a curve and flipped it over on its
top.
The driver, Latrishia Ray of Sharps Chapel, was trapped in the vehicle for a
short time while units from the Union County Rescue Squad and Sharps Chapel VFD
worked with the Jaws of Life to free her.
The victim was transported to UT Hospital by Union County EMS to be treated for
injuries sustained from the accident. The extent of her injuries were not
available at the time of this report.
Tennessee Highway Patrolman Adam Bowman worked the accident.
Sharps Chapel VFD members that responded to the scene were: Chris Upton, Kevin
Brantley, Brandon Smith, Kevin Wenger, Debbie Hammontree, Cody Collins, Brandon
Collins and Ryan Atkins.
TWO ATV ACCIDENTS WITHIN ONE HOUR
OF EACH OTHER
-May 28, 2006
On Sunday, May 28th,
Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire Department units were dispatched to an ATV accident
on Leadmine Bend Road near Ridge Road.
Upon arrival, the teenage boy was found to have lost control of the ATV he was
driving and suffered minor injuries.
While clearing up from that call, another ATV accident involving a vehicle had
taken place around the 500 block of Brewer Hollow Road.
The teenage female was driving the ATV and met a vehicle on a hill. The ATV was
knocked off the roadway.
The teenage girl suffered serious injuries, with a possible broken leg and
several cuts and bruises.
The victims of both accidents were transported by Union county EMS to be treated
for their injuries.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol worked both accidents.
SCVFD members responding included Assistant Chief
Kevin Brantley; firefighters Kevin Wenger, Gordon Sartain & Johnny Ray; Junior
firefighters Jacob Wenger, Cody Collins, Brandon Collins and Justin Bailey.
HEAD-ON CRASH INVOLVES FIRE TRUCK,
FOUR INJURED
-May 29, 2006
A Northeast Union Volunteer Fire
Department fire engine was involved in a serious accident while responding to a
call on Memorial Day.
The accident took place on Monday, May 29th around 5:38 pm on Circle
Drive near AJ Lane in the Northeastern part of Union County.
Chuck Nicely of the Northeast Union VFD was responding to a tractor fire on Cool
Branch Road, which runs off of Circle Drive.
The fire engine and a Dodge Neon had a head-on collision on the narrow road at a
sharp curve and blinding hill.
Nicely was not injured in the accident, but quickly called for help and assisted
with rendering aid to the four victims in the car.
Units from Paulette and Sharps Chapel VFDs and the Union County Rescue Squad
were called to the scene to assist, along with Union County EMS crews. The
driver and a passenger were pinned in the car for a short time. All four occupants of the
vehicle were flown to UT Hospital by two Lifestar Air Medical Units. The
accident was investigated by Trooper Adam Bowman, with the assistance of the
Critical Incident Response Team member, also from the TN Highway Patrol.
Late Monday night the female victims were listed in stable condition, and the
small boy, who was a passenger, was listed in critical condition.
No further information was available at the time of this report.
MAN RAN OVER BY VEHICLE
-June 8, 2006
On Thursday, June 8, 2006 around 1:58
pm, Sharps Chapel VFD was dispatched to a medical assist call at 1183 Sharps
Chapel Road. Firefighter Kevin Wenger was at the station and responded to
the scene within 3 minutes of the call.
The victim, Greg Lynch, age 44 of Sharps Chapel, had to tried to stop his Jeep
from rolling off and it ran over him.
He was taken to the store to call for help.
When Union County EMS arrived, Lynch had fallen unconscious a couple of times
and was complaining of abdominal pains. With possible internal injury,
Lifestar was called for to airlift Lynch to UT Hospital.
Chief Chris Upton and Firefighter Mason Simpson responded to Sharps Chapel Park
in Engine 51 to set up the landing zone.
Other Sharps Chapel VFD members responding were: Asst. Chief Kevin
Brantley, George Sharp, Jacob Wenger, Cody Collins, Ryan Atkins and Justin
Bailey.
RECENT DRY CONDITIONS RESULT IN
FIELD FIRE
-July 9, 2006
On Sunday evening, July 9th, the Sharps Chapel Volunteer
Fire Department was dispatched to a field fire in the new Sunset Bay Development
off Russell Brothers Road in Sharps Chapel.
The call came in just after 7 pm when units were dispatched to the scene.
The fire had started near the lake where officials say they believe it started
from a small campfire. Due to recent dry conditions and hot temperatures
in the area, the fire had begun to spread quickly, before being extinguished by
firefighters.
No injuries or damage was reported, and an estimated 1/2 acre had burned.
TWO VEHICLES CRASH AT HIGHWAY 33 BRIDGE
-September 29, 2006
A vehicle crash on the North side of Veterans Memorial
Bridge (Highway 33 Bridge) injured two teens late Friday night, September 29th.
The accident took place around 11:50pm.
The accident involved a Ford Thunderbird being driven by Kari Benziger, age 16
of Sharps Chapel, and a Honda Sports car, which was driven by Brandon Williams,
age 16 of Washburn.
The head-on crash sent Benziger to UT Hospital by Union County EMS and Williams
was flown out by Lifestar to UT Hospital.
Their conditions were not available at the time of this report.
Units from the Sharps Chapel Volunteer Fire Department and the Union County
Rescue Squad responded to the scene. Williams had to be extricated from
the vehicle.
The exact cause of the accident was not available; the Tennessee Highway Patrol
is investigating the crash. Our prayers go out to both families and hope
for a quick recovery to both of the teens.
Assistant Chief Kevin Brantley responded with Engine 51 and Brandon Smith
responded with Rescue 51 to the scene. Other VFD members on the scene
were: Debbie Hammontree, Jim Green, Justin Bailey, Aaron Sharp and Jacob
Wenger. Members of the Union County Rescue Squad, Union County EMS, Union
County Sheriff's Department and Tennessee Highway Patrol were on the scene as
well.
SCVFD FIREFIGHTERS RESPOND TO SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE
FIRE
-November 19, 2006
On Sunday, November 19, around 3:00pm the Sharps Chapel Volunteer
Fire Department was called out to a vehicle fire at a remote TVA lake access
area known as Palmers Junction near the Union/Claiborne county line.
When firefighters arrived on the scene the vehicle, a newer model Ford Explorer
was found to be fully involved with flames.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze and found the vehicle to be unoccupied with
no one around.
According to reports no tags were on the vehicle and the fire was believed to
have been arson according to fire department officials.
Deputy Gary Kniess of the Union County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the
incident. At the time of this report the owner had not been located, but
officials believe the vehicle to possibly be stolen.
NORRIS
SHORES RESIDENTIAL FIRE
-December 12, 2006
On Tuesday, December 12th, around 2:17am, fire units were
dispatched to a residential fire at 135 Ridgeview Circle in the Norris Shores
area of Sharps Chapel.
According to reports, the caller stated that smoke and flames were coming from
the roof.
Sharps Chapel fire units arrived on the scene and finished extinguishing a small
fire in the attic area of the home where the stove pipe went through the roof.
Units from North East Union and Paulette Volunteer Fire Departments were in
route to assist, but were cancelled.
The homeowners had thrown some water on the fire prior to the fire units’
arrival and knocked the blaze down.
The home suffered minor fire damage in the attic area near the eve of the house.
No injuries were reported.
The home belongs to Jason Fifer of Ohio, and is still under construction.
The fire was caused from a broken smoke pipe in the attic, according to Fire
Department authorities.