Knoxville Fire Department Sees 'Slight Increase' in Calls for Service on July 4

KFD responded to a house fire on Ohio Avenue on the night of July 5 that was later found to have been caused by fireworks. (Photo: KFD)

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — As fireworks were being set off on July 4, Knoxville Fire Department crews were responding to emergency calls. One firefighter was reportedly injured due to fireworks and several brush and trash fires broke out.

As of Friday morning, KFD told WATE 6 News it responded to 99 calls for service “from 8 a.m. on 7/4/2024 to 8 a.m. on 7/5/2024. This reflects a slight increase from last year.”

Amidst calls for service, A firefighter was injured after fireworks were set off in the cab of Engine 7 in the Lonsdale community. KFD could only share that the firefighter may have suffered hearing problems and that some equipment sustained minor damage.

The crews also responded to a house fire The flames broke out around 6 p.m. on Ohio Avenue Friday night. The home was unoccupied and the fire “was quickly extinguished,” KFD said in a social media post shared just after 2 a.m. The cause of the house fire was later determined to be fireworks.

KFD firefighters also responded to a car fire in the area of ​​Gloria Garner and New York Avenue, and five minors were reportedly treated for burns.

On Friday morning, KFD shared the following figures for This is the recap for July 4, 2024 regarding service calls:

• 9 grass fires/brush fires
• 12 dumpster/garbage bin fires
• 1 possible structural fire (on arrival)
• 1 real structure fire
• 5 burns linked to fireworks
• 4 MVA
• 5 overdoses
• The KFD made a total of 99 calls over a 24-hour period

“As we head into the weekend, KFD wants to remind everyone that the weather will likely remain warm and dry,” KFD said in a message shared with WATE 6 News. “This means the risk of fires from fireworks remains high, and we ask the public to refrain from using fireworks.”