News Releases

An apartment fire left a woman in critical condition and also sent a firefighter to the hospital Wednesday morning, prompting a large response from the CFD and other agencies. The call came out at 7:36 AM at the Rustic Village North Apartments in the 4600 block of Sunflower Lane, located not far off Highway 58. Chattanooga Fire Operations Chief Rick Boatwright saw the smoke from 58 on his way to work and pulled into the complex. He spotted smoke and flames coming from Building 12 and immediately started knocking on doors to alert residents. The structure was occupied at the time and it was imperative that families get out fast as the flames and toxic smoke spread. Chief Boatwright carried a child out to safety as another man, Jimmy Franklin, also took action. Franklin called 911 to report the fire and lifted an injured woman over her balcony so she could escape. He then went back into the burning building to knock on doors and get residents to evacuate. A second alarm was called to bring additional personnel to the scene. Firefighters arrived and started attacking the fire from the outside, knocking down flames. They launched an interior attack and simultaneously searched the structure. Crews conducted a secondary search and continued working until the fire was out. No one was found inside and apartment management confirmed that all residents were out of the building. CFD companies remained on scene for several hours checking for extension to make sure the fire was fully extinguished. Nineteen families were displaced by the blaze because power had to be cut to the whole building. Those residents will be receiving assistance from the American Red Cross. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Chief Boatwright was treated at the hospital for smoke inhalation and later released. The woman who sustained burns was airlifted to a burn center for further treatment of her injuries. She is in critical condition. Quint 6, Quint 10, Engine 15, Quint 8, Squad 19, Squad 7, Engine 5, Quint 21, Squad 13, Quint 16, Ladder 7, Ladder 5, Engine 4, Ladder 13, Ladder 19, Battalion 2, Battalion 3 (Green Shift), CFD’s Safety Chief, CFD’s Operations Chief, CFD’s Investigations Division, CPD, HCEMS, Red Cross, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Rescue’s Rehabilitation Unit and Hamilton County 911’s Incident Dispatch Unit responded. Thanks to our Tri-State Mutual Aid partners for answering calls at our fire halls while crews worked this incident.

On Monday (8/29/22) just before 1 AM, a passerby noticed a fire next to the front door of the Food City grocery store at 1600 23rd Street. The passerby, after calling 911, was able to knock down the fire with a fire extinguisher. CFD units were able to finish putting out the fire before it damaged the interior of the building, however, there was damage to the exterior of the business. The fire involved a garbage can and the shopping cart sanitation station. The store was closed at the time of the incident. Christopher Anthony Floyd, 47, was arrrested in connection with the fire. He was apprehended Monday night with the assistance of the Chattanooga Police Department and booked into the Silverdale Detection Center. CFD investigators have charged Floyd with arson in the case.

Chattanooga firefighters worked a residential fire off East Brainerd Road Saturday afternoon (8/27/22). Companies were called to a home in the 1300 block of N Concord Road at 12:46 PM. Quint 21 arrived on scene and reported smoke showing. They made entry and had a very quick knockdown on the fire. The residents had all safely evacuated the house and there were no injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The Red Cross will be assisting one adult and two children. Quint 21, Engine 15, Engine 9, Ladder 5, Ladder 13, Squad 13, Battalion 2 and Battalion 3 (Red Shift) responded, along with CFD Investigations.

Congratulations to Battalion Chief Terry Knowles who is now the Assistant Chief over the CFD’s Special Operations Division! He accepted his new position at Station 1 on Thursday, surrounded by his family and District 1 firefighters. His crews are sad to lose him, but excited for him as he takes on a new challenge. Special Operations Chief is a critical job for our department and requires a great deal of knowledge and skills. Chief Knowles will direct the Special Ops Division in the areas of hazardous materials, Urban Search and Rescue, and all of our additional technical rescue disciplines, including vehicle extrications, trench rescues, rope rescues, confined space rescues and collapse rescues. An 18-year veteran of the CFD, Chief Knowles has done outstanding as battalion chief and throughout his career. Now he’s taking all of his leadership abilities and applying them to his new role. 

Chris LaFerry is now the Battalion Chief for District 1 Green Shift, overseeing personnel at six different fire halls and response in a large area that includes Downtown Chattanooga, Highland Park, East Lake, Saint Elmo and Lookout Valley. BC LaFerry was joined by his wife and children, his Quint 16 crew and his proud parents at his promotion ceremony. He is continuing the legacy of his father, retired CFD Captain Lewis LaFerry, who served 28 years in the department. Chief Hyman told BC LaFerry that he is highly capable of stepping into the role of Battalion Chief because of his leadership style and how well he treats others, both in the department and in the community. The command staff knows he will take care of his companies and district and his technical abilities on emergency scenes is superb thanks to 17 years of experience with the CFD.

Lieutenant Darrell Hinton Jr. (Ladder 1 Green Shift) is the CFD’s new Fire Inspector! He will be an excellent addition to the Fire Prevention Bureau and brings with him 19 years of fire service experience that will be extremely beneficial to his new role. Lt. Hinton joins a strong team of inspectors working in Fire Prevention. They play a vital role in making sure that properties across Chattanooga are safe and up to code.

Congratulations to these amazing firefighters!