Local emergency responders had a busy week, responding to a plane crash on Center Hill Lake, and later battling a house fire in the Keltonburg community.

On Tuesday, February 25, the DeKalb County Rescue Squad, DeKalb Fire Department, and deputies with the DeKalb Sheriff’s Department responded to responded to the Holmes Creek area of Center Hill Lake after a report of a small plane crashing in the waters at the mouth of Holmes Creek and the main channel.

According to DeKalb Fire Chief Donny Green, the crash was reported at approximately 3:53 p.m. Chief Green stated, “A nearby fisherman witnessed the aircraft crash and immediately called 911 to report it, and proceeded to render aid. The pilot, James Luna of Auburntown, was able to remove himself from the plane, board the fisherman’s boat, and had only minor injuries that did not require medical transport.”

“The pilot was operating an ICON A5 single-engine amphibious aircraft designed to land on water or land. He was the sole occupant of the plane and was attempting to land in the water near the north end of Holmes Creek when the crash occurred,” said Chief Green.

Chief Green said that no fire occurred and no spills resulted from the crash. Fire crews responded in Fire Boat 2 from Hidden Harbor Marina, while DeKalb Rescue launched their boat from the old Holmes Creek boat ramp.

“The Smithville-DeKalb County Rescue Squad, DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, DeKalb County Emergency Medical Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency also responded to the scene. DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency was also contacted and provided with information that has been reported to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA),” said Chief Green.

The following day, the DeKalb Fire Department responded to a house fire that threatened a disabled person inside.

According to Chief Green, “On Wednesday at approximately 10:55 a.m., the DeKalb County Fire Department was dispatched to a residential fire on Keltonburg Road with a disabled person still inside the home.”

“Firefighters quickly arrived on the scene, and found the home filled with smoke with the occupants and pets still inside. Firefighters, DeKalb County Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel, and DeKalb County Sheriff Department deputies safely removed the disabled occupant from the residence.”

“Firefighters quickly arrived and successfully extinguished the fire and ventilated the home. Fire damage was contained to the laundry room in the floor and wall behind the clothes dryer. It was determined the dryer vent was clogged causing excessive heat to ignite the lint in the vent.”

“EMS personnel evaluated the patient, and the patient refused medical transport. The Keltonburg, Belk, and Main Stations responded to the incident,” said Chief Green.

On Friday, approximately 10:49 p.m., the DeKalb County Fire Department responded to a report of a fully involved residential fire at 9088 Short Mountain Highway.

Firefighters quickly arrived, but found the home heavily involved with fire. Authorities say the roof had already collapsed, and high winds that were fueling the fire made control efforts more challenging. Firefighters were able to quickly rescue threatened pets behind the home, and protect an exposed vehicle and the nearby woodland.

None of the residents were at home at the time of the blaze. One firefighter did sustain minor injury during the incident. The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time. DeKalb County Fire Department’s Short Mountain Highway, Main, Keltonburg, and Belk stations responded to the scene, along with the department’s Rehabilitation Unit, DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, and DeKalb County Emergency Medical Services.