KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Knoxville Fire Department said it responded to 99 calls for service from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the Fourth of July, a slight increase from 2023.
Those 99 calls included:
- 9 grass/brush fires
- 12 trash/dumpster fires
- One possible structure fire
- One confirmed structure fire caused by fireworks (unoccupied home)
- Five firework-related burns
- Four multi-vehicle accidents
- Five overdoses
One KFD firefighter was hurt when a firework was shot into a firetruck cab in the Lonsdale community. The firefighter suffered possible hearing issues and some equipment received minor damage. The department said it cannot comment further on the injury.
KFD said a group of juveniles shooting fireworks from a car suffered burns after the car caught fire near Gloria Garner and New York Avenue around 10 p.m.
KFD is asking the public to refrain from using fireworks since the weather will likely remain hot and dry over the weekend, increasing the likelihood of fires.