News Releases

Two people were sent to the hospital Monday morning after being pulled by Chattanooga firefighters from their burning Alton Park home. At 7:09 AM on 6/24/24, Blue Shift companies were called to a duplex in the 4100 block of Fagan Street on reports of a house fire with entrapment. Engine 14 saw smoke upon arrival and immediately went into rescue mode. Engine 9 backed them up and together, the crews rescued a man and a woman from the structure. Both were transported to the hospital with serious injuries related to toxic smoke inhalation. It appeared that both victims were trying to escape the fire, but were overwhelmed by smoke and became trapped in the back of the residence. Meanwhile, fire suppression was simultaneously taking place by other responding CFD personnel. There were reports of children still being inside the apartment, but multiple searches turned up nothing. Fire officials later learned that family members on the other side of the duplex, including the children, were safely evacuated by police officers and unharmed. Blue Shift made a good stop on the fire, getting it under control quickly and preventing it from spreading through the rest of the apartment and adjoining unit. There’s damage to the front of the home and smoke damage throughout the structure. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Engine 14, Engine 9, Squad 1, Ladder 1, Engine 1, Ladder 5, Engine 5, Battalion 1, Battalion 3, CFD Supply and CFD Investigations were on the scene, along with multiple Hamilton County EMS units and CPD. The Red Cross will be assisting those displaced by the fire.

Fagan St fire rescues

Captain Skyler Phillips continues making a difference for families across the region through his ongoing efforts to build a fully inclusive playground at Jack Benson Heritage Park (Jenkins Road). On Tuesday, he was joined by Mayor Kelly, Mayor Wamp, city leaders, county officials, and lawmakers to announce a major funding update for Harvest Playground, which will provide opportunities for thousands of children of all abilities to be able to play without barriers. The project has now received $450,000 in funding commitments from the City of Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and the State of Tennessee. In total from all sources, the playground has reached $1.1 million of committed funding, more than halfway to the $2 million target. The public’s help is needed to raise the remaining $900,000. Captain Phillips, the CFD’s EMS Director, is the founder of Harvesting Inclusive Play and he was inspired by his son with autism to build this special playground. For more information about the Harvest Playground initiative, visit www.harvestinginclusiveplay.com.

Harvest Playground

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.

Bailey Ave truck fire

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.

Grove St community center fire

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.

Rockway Drive house fire