News Releases

At 5:45 PM on 6/8/24, Ladder 5 Blue Shift responded to 1908 Bailey Avenue on a vehicle fire. On the scene, they found a fully involved car fire. As firefighters were working to extinguish the fire, there were several rounds of explosions. Two firefighters were in very close proximity when it exploded, but thankfully, they were not seriously injured. One of those firefighters, a captain, was checked out for head and ear pain following the incident. He sustained a mild concussion.

At 7:23 PM on 6/8/24, the Chattanooga Fire Department received an alarm for the old James A. Henry Elementary School at 1221 Grove St. on a reported commercial fire. The building is owned currently by the Chattanooga Housing Authority and is operated as a community center. On arrival, Blue Shift companies found light smoke coming from a door on the side of the building. Upon further investigation, the smoke got heavier as crews opened the door with smoke extending into the hallway. CFD crews made entry and searched all floors. The fire was found to be in the old wooden ornate trim around the door frame. All of the exterior trim was removed and extinguished and the entire building was ventilated. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Engine 1, Ladder 1, Squad 1, Engine 14, Engine 12, Engine 5, Ladder 5, Battalion 1, Battalion 3, and CFD investigators responded.

A Chattanooga woman escaped her burning home Monday morning as smoke and flames quickly spread through the residence. At 8:17 AM on 6/3/24, Red Shift companies responded to the 900 block of Rockway Drive after 911 received multiple reports of a house fire. Firefighters saw heavy smoke and flames on arrival coming from the back of the structure and the smoke was working its way to the front of the house as the fire moved into the attic. They launched an immediate fire attack and search of the basement as other crews went through the front door. Firefighters also checked nearby exposures to make sure the fire wasn’t spreading to other homes, including the house next door. One occupant was outside unharmed and informed fire officials that no one else was inside. CFD personnel had the fire knocked down quickly and remained on scene pulling ceilings to get the attic fully extinguished and tackling hot spots. The cause of the fire is under investigation. There’s extensive damage to the structure so the Red Cross will be assisting the displaced resident. There were no injuries. Engine 4, Ladder 5, Engine 5, Squad 13, Ladder 13, Battalion 1, Battalion 2, HCEMS, CPD, Red Cross, CFD Supply, and CFD Investigations were on the scene.

There was a joint response to a house fire off Apison Pike Friday morning, with multiple agencies working together to combat flames. Just before 10:30 AM on 5/31/24, Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department’s fire marshal saw smoke in the area and was investigating when the call went out from 911 for units to respond to the 4900 block of Patsy Place. Hamilton County sheriff’s deputies were first on the scene and reported a working structure fire, as well as the possibility of someone still inside the burning residence. Tri-Community crews arrived, laid a line, and went inside to conduct a search while attacking the fire. Half the home was engulfed and Chattanooga companies pulled in to join the fire fight. Officials on the scene learned that all occupants were safe and accounted for. The blaze was under control in approximately 30 minutes and units remained on the scene for several hours ensuring that the fire was fully extinguished. It caused extensive damage to the home and one cat died. There were no other injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The American Red Cross is assisting impacted residents. Tri-Community VFD, HCEMS, HCSO, CPD, and Collegedale PD responded. For the CFD, Squad 7, Ladder 7, Engine 6, Engine 8, Engine 21, Ladder 13, Squad 13, Battalion 2 Green Shift, investigators, Training Division and Supply Division were on the scene.