The Herald-News - News Story

Hundreds of Rhea County jobs were at stake Sunday as a heater ignited a fire at Dayton's La-Z-Boy plant, and dozens of area firefighters were called to respond.

La-Z-Boy officials and Dayton Fire Chief Chuck Suttles said the fire was relatively small and not much damage was done to inventory or equipment, and no one was injured.

Suttles said Dayton firemen didn't initially know the scale of the fire, so they called for help immediately. Suttles said once he learned no one was hurt, his biggest concern was to keep
Rhea County's largest employer operational.

"You whack another 1,400 [jobs] off, this city would be devastated," he said Monday. "That's the reason we cried out for all these resources."

As soon as the call came in, the department took advantage of its membership in the Tri-State Mutual Aid Association, and crews from Sale Creek, Soddy Daisy, Graysville, Garrison Volunteer Fire Department, Hamilton County and Chattanooga responded within 40 minutes.

Suttles thanked the 54 volunteers who responded to the fire.

"They gave up their Sunday mornings," he said. "I think that's pretty dadgum admirable."

He added that was the first large-scale callout from the Dayton Fire Department in several years.

Suttles also said La-Z-Boy representatives Darrell Edwards and Roger Woodworth were helpful to firefighters during the blaze.

The plant had shut down for the weekend at the time of the fire, but workers were back at La-Z-Boy Monday morning.

"We are thankful the facility was closed at the time of the fire so that no employee was in harm's way," La-Z-Boy Tennessee Vice President Darrell Edwards said in a statement. "We are very grateful for the swift and expert response from the Dayton Fire Department."

Suttles said initial investigations revealed that a stack of cardboard boxes ignited after being placed too close to a heater.

Damage estimates were not available as of press time Tuesday, though Suttles said the building sustained no structural damage.

Suttles said the boxes had to have smoldered for at least 90 minutes before igniting.

Dayton fire crews were at the 1.2 million square-foot-plant's Warrant Services Department - where the fire started -within minutes after an automated alarm sounded just before 8 a.m. Sunday, according to Suttles.

It was the first actual call for Dayton's new fire hall, situated on Manufacturer's Road, just north of the La-Z-Boy plant. The new hall opened last October.

Fire crews left the plant before noon Sunday.

La-Z-Boy spokesperson Janet Earnhardt said all operations in the Warranty Services Department have been shifted to other parts of the plant. The plant lost some inventory, she said, but major catastrophes were averted.

Michael Reneau can be contacted at michael.reneau@rheaheraldnews.com.