CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — An off-duty firefighter caught a baby who was dropped by his mother during a massive apartment fire.
Lt. Vernon Lane, who rides Ladder 1 out of Chattanooga Fire Department Station 1, lives in the apartment building where the fire broke out. He got out, spotted the mother and her 10-month-old boy on the third floor balcony.
Lt. Lane said the woman dropped the baby toward him, he caught him, dropping to the ground to help break the fall. Before he could get back up, the woman landed on top of both of them.
The mother and baby were transported by EMS to a local hospital. Both of their injuries were not life-threatening. Lt. Lane was reportedly OK, but just tired after the rescue.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Everyone who lived in the apartment building was accounted for.