News Releases

We have a sad update from the Jarnigan Avenue scene on the city’s north side where two homes were destroyed by fire Friday (12/23/22). It appears that the occupant in the second home that caught fire (driven by the wind) went back into her burning residence to get her pet bird and tragically did not make it out alive. Initially, she had been alerted to the fire at her house by a neighbor and safely escaped and then when she could not be located by fire officials and neighbors, it sparked concerns that she had potentially gone back into her home as the smoke and flames spread. Once crews got the fire extinguished, the Chattanooga Department of Public Works brought in heavy machinery to begin carefully and meticulously removing parts of the charred remains of the structure to look for the missing resident. During the search, the body of the victim, a 68-year-old woman, was located by firefighters. Her name is not being released at this time pending notification of the next of kin. Our thoughts are with the woman’s family, friends and neighbors following the tragic chain of events. Chattanooga Fire officials stress the importance of “Get Out, Stay Out” during a fire and urge citizens to never go back into a burning structure as they can quickly become disoriented and overwhelmed by smoke and heat. Both homes that caught fire at this location are a total loss. The cause of the fires is under investigation.

Original post: The Chattanooga Fire Department has been very busy Friday morning, working multiple incidents in extremely frigid conditions. At 6:30 AM, companies responded to reports of a residential fire on Jarnigan Avenue in North Chattanooga. Firefighters found a newly constructed, unoccupied house completely engulfed in flames. Due to the wind, the fire spread to the house next door, causing two simultaneous structure fires. A second alarm was called to bring more personnel to the scene to help fight both fires. A neighbor was able to alert the occupant in the second home so that she could safely escape. There have been no reported injuries. Crews remain on the scene working to completely extinguish the fires. The cause will be under investigation.

At 2:16 AM Friday (12/23/22), CFD personnel responded to a vehicle fire on Interstate 24 EB between Germantown Road and Belvoir Avenue. Firefighters found the trailer of a tractor trailer fully involved with all of its cargo burning. The truck was full of doors. Crews kept the fire knocked down until they could get the cab disconnected from the trailer. Then the fire was fully extinguished once the cargo was separated. There were no injuries. The driver of the truck is safe. Red Shift companies have been on scene for several hours working this incident.

The Chattanooga Fire Department is assisting with a train derailment in Collegedale. It happened Tuesday afternoon (12/20/22) at Apison Pike and University Drive. Chattanooga companies on scene: Battalion Chief for District 1, Battalion Chief for District 2, Special Operations Division, CFD Hazmat Team (L1 and Squad 1). Personnel are trying to stop a diesel and lube oil leak from two of the locomotives. No other hazardous materials are involved at this time. A number of different agencies are working this incident. Photos from BC2 Schroyer. Two Norfolk Southern employees were left with minor injuries, according to Hamilton County EMA.

From TDOT: At approximately 12:30 pm ET, a train hit a bridge beam being delivered to the SR 317 (Apison Pike) reconstruction project, resulting in a derailment near the intersection of Apison Pike and University Drive. Both roads are closed at this time and will remain closed until a crash investigation has been completed and the incident has been cleared. TDOT, Norfolk Southern, and emergency responders are on the scene. Consider an alternate route through the area, if possible. This will be a lengthy closure.

From Hamilton County EMA: This afternoon, Norfolk Southern train slams into a tractor trailer carrying a 134 foot concrete truss beam in Collegedale, TN. At 12:30 pm, a motorist calls 911 reporting a train derailment located at Apison Pike and University Drive.

Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department and Collegedale Police Department responded to the scene and confirmed a large train derailment. Tri-Community VFD requested a mutual aid response for additional manpower and hazardous materials clean up efforts. Hamilton County HazMat team m, Hamilton Co. Rescue and Chattanooga Fire Department responded to the scene.

According to fire officials, the driver of the tractor trailer was stopped on the railroad tracks waiting for the light to turn green on Tucker Road. During that time, Norfolk Southern railroad activated its crossing arms. The tractor trailer was unsuccessful of clearing the railroad tracks and was hit by the train. Three locomotives and 10 railroad cars derailed and slammed into each other causing a disastrous mess! Two Norfolk employees sustained minor injuries and were transported to local area hospitals by HCEMS.

Hamilton County Hazmat team, Chattanooga Fire Department and Tri-Community VFD used absorbent booms and pads to assist with the large diesel spill for the three locomotives.

Highway 58 VFD, Catoosa County FD, and Chattanooga Fire Department stood by at Tri-Community fire stations for any additional emergency calls in their district.

Blue Shift companies worked a fire Friday night (12/16/22) in the 3900 block of Dodds Avenue involving an abandoned, condemned structure. Defensive operations were used to extinguish the flames. There were no injuries and the cause of the fire is under investigation. Engine 9, Ladder 5, Engine 5, Quint 14, Squad 1, Battalion 1, and Battalion 2 responded, along with CFD Investigations Division.