BARTLETT, Tenn. — A Shelby County firefighter had a major scare Wednesday when he ran out of air in his breathing apparatus while battling a house fire in Raleigh and had to escape, according to the Shelby County Fire Department (SCFD).
The fire happened around noon Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023, in the 4000 block of Lake Forest Dr., from what neighbors on scene said was possibly a lightning strike. The fire was under control by 2:30 p.m.
According to SCFD, a firefighter ran out of air in his breathing apparatus that allows firefighters to breathe while in heavy smoke, and had to escape through an exterior window.
Other firefighters on scene saw the escape, and paired with an alarm from running out of air, sounded a "mayday" call over the radio, which prompted a major response from first responders.
The firefighter received medical attention and was taken to the hospital out of caution, but did not suffer any major injuries, SCFD said.
SCFD said they responded to three calls for homes struck by lightning from Wednesday's storms.