News Releases

Part of a Downtown Chattanooga building collapsed Thursday morning as storms rolled through the area, sending bricks onto cars and the sidewalk below. At 11:35 AM, firefighters responded to 27 W Main Street after Hamilton County 911 received reports from callers about a vehicle being crushed by a third floor wall that had come down into the street. Squad 1 and the Battalion Chief for District 1 (Blue Shift), along with CFD Special Operations and a building inspector responded. This location is a construction site. One vehicle was destroyed (unoccupied at the time) and two other parked cars were damaged by falling debris. There were three people in one of the vehicles (dark blue car) when the wall collapsed. Luckily, there were no injuries. A wrecker company removed the crushed vehicle. Public Works cleared the roadway of debris. The construction company will be responsible for cleaning up bricks and other materials on the sidewalk. Per building inspectors, the sidewalk will remain closed until construction crews can secure any other loose bricks. Fencing has been set up as a safety measure.

collapse main street

Chattanooga firefighters extinguished a small boat fire Monday afternoon. At 1:47 PM, Red Shift companies responded to Raider Lane and found a boat on fire in the water. The occupant had made his way to the shore and he was uninjured, but cold from swimming to safety. The burning boat was secured by another boater who pulled it over to the shore so fire crews could put the fire out. The damaged vessel will be pulled out of the river. No haradous materials leaked into the water. Engine 12, Battalion 3 and CFD Special Ops responded.

Raider Lane boat fire

LT Darrell Hinton, CFD fire inspector, is out of the hospital following his successful heart transplant surgery! Here’s a message from his wife: “On behalf of Darrell and our family, we would like to Thank our Chattanooga community for their support during this time. A special shout out to Memorial North staff, Memorial Main Campus Staff (Dr. Kennedy, Mrs. Franks, Mr. Shields), the entire Vanderbilt Heart Transplant Team, Vanderbilt CVICU nursing staff, all Vanderbilt Medical staff, Chattanooga Fire Department, Chattanooga Police Department, all Fraternal Orders, Walker Co. DFCS, and everyone who called, text, emailed, donated, sent cards and prayers. Whatever you may have done to support our family during this time, we extend our sincere Gratitude! We have been overwhelmed by the love and support shown to our family during this time! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! 19 Days after having a heart transplant, I’m happy to share that my husband has been discharged from the hospital. God is Good!!! We have an amazing team of prayer warriors! We remain strong in our Faith as we enter in to the next phase of recovery! Continue to keep Darrell and our family in your prayers. With warm regards, The Hintons"

Darrell Hinton

The Chattanooga Fire Department is investigating a fire at a homeless encampment downtown. It happened on Friday (1/6/23) at 7:22 AM at 740 East 12th Street. Firefighters responded and quickly extinguished the fire. Two tents were destroyed and another two tents were damaged. There were no injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Quint 1, Ladder 1, Squad 1, Engine 5 and Battalion Green Shift responded.

Tent fire for web

The American Red Cross will be assisting two adults and their pets after a fire at the family’s East Brainerd residence on Thursday afternoon. CFD Red Shift companies responded to the 8000 block of Plaxco Drive at 1:21 PM and found heavy smoke coming from the carport and laundry room. The homeowner was home at the time and had already safely excited the structure with her three dogs. LT Ben Bradley with Quint 21 took command and crews made a quick interior attack, getting the fire under control within just a few minutes. It appears to have been electrical in nature, connected to the dryer. There’s fire damage to the laundry room and smoke damage throughout the structure. There were no injuries. Quint 21, Squad 13, Ladder 13, Squad 7, Ladder 7, Battalion 1 and Battalion 2 responded.

east brainerd dryer fire