A fire at the Cedar Bluff Coin Laundry in West Knox County resulted in injuries to two firefighters on Thursday evening, according to reports from Rural Metro Fire. WVLT reported that the fire, which occurred around 7:30 p.m. at the business located at 400 N. Cedar Bluff Road, quickly spread to the roof before crews were able to gain access and attempt to douse the flames.
Adjacent businesses housed within the same structure, including the Pastelitos Cuban Bakery, sustained smoke and water damage although the majority of the damage was concentrated within the laundromat, the fire reportedly starting in the front side before it escalated to the roof, Rural Metro stated that while they were able to swiftly evacuate all personnel before tackling the blaze, two firefighters suffered injuries during the response efforts with one being taken to the hospital with injuries that appeared, at first glance, non-life-threatening, this according to a statement given by spokesperson Jeff Bagwell to WATE.
Following the incident, a portion of North Cedar Bluff Road near Sherrill Boulevard was temporarily closed, with Rural Metro urging drivers to seek alternative routes; WBIR shared an image provided by Rural Metro to guide motorists away from the affected area. Firefighting teams remained on scene into the night to watch for any smoldering hot spots that could reignite and cause additional damage or threaten nearby establishments.
An investigation into the cause of the fire is currently underway by the Knox County Sheriff's Office arson investigators, meanwhile, the community has been breathing a collective sigh of relief as, fortunately, no civilian casualties were reported and the injured firefighters are expected to make a recovery; this close-knit tapestry of businesses on North Cedar Bluff Road holds more than mere commerce at its core, it's a network of individuals whose lives intersect with the daily exchange of goods, smiles, and camaraderie, and it is in moments like these the fabric of community is tested and often proves resilient, Rural Metro's quick action and the subsequent support of neighbors attesting to just that.
