News Releases

The Chattanooga Fire Department has had numerous break-ins at our fire stations involving firefighters’ personal vehicles. We are asking the public to be aware and alert. Please help us protect our fire halls and our firefighters’ property. Most recently, firefighters battling a large house fire this week in Highland Park were targeted. It was an added burden on an already stressful shift. It seems that the culprits are waiting for the crews to leave on calls and then burglarizing firefighters’ cars and trucks. Windows have been smashed and personal items stolen. The Chattanooga Police Department is investigating the crimes. If you see something at your neighborhood fire station, please call 911 to report any suspicious activity. If you have any information on these cases, call CPD at 423-698-2525. You can also submit an anonymous tip on the CPD mobile app.

Several people were taken to the hospital after a dangerous incident involving extremely high carbon monoxide levels at a construction site in East Brainerd. At 10:25 AM on Thursday, CFD Green Shift companies were called to 6698 Palms Court for reports of two people overcome by CO. Apartments are currently being built at that location. The workers had heaters set up inside and outside of the building and a few of those heaters malfunctioned, putting CO into the structure. Firefighters found two workers unresponsive when they arrived and immediately began treating the patients with oxygen. Hamilton County EMS also responded and helped with patient care as CFD crews went inside to search the entire building for more workers. They found that a number of construction employees were still working, unaware of what was happening. The whole structure was evacuated. Firefighters wore their full gear to conduct the rescues, including their SCBA masks, to protect them from the high levels of CO. According to fire officials on the scene, they detected levels at 540 parts per million on gas monitors. The safe amount of CO is zero. Every worker on the site was checked- around 40 individuals. Four of them were transported to the hospital with high CO levels. One worker was treated on the scene. The structure was thoroughly ventilated. Tennessee OSHA will be investigating the incident.

A juvenile is accused of setting merchandise on fire in Sam’s Club Wednesday night as the store was full of customers. Thankfully, a vigilant shopper spotted what was happening and made sure the flames didn’t spread inside the crowded business. At 6:41 PM, CFD Blue Shift companies responded to Sam’s at 6101 Lee Highway and learned that someone in the store- a juvenile- set some mattresses and pillows on fire. A customer spotted it and put the fire out with his coat. Management was notified and called 911. Firefighters made sure the fire was fully extinguished. The juvenile suspect was arrested and charged with Aggravated Arson and Vandalism. He was taken to a juvenile detention center. At Sam’s Club, there was minimal damage to merchandise only and there were no injuries.

A house fire in Highland Park sparked a large-scale response from the Chattanooga Fire Department Monday that spanned several hours and caused major damage. We are very thankful that the resident is safe along with several of her pets, but sad to say that she lost her home and everything in it. The call came out at 3:25 PM to the 1500 block of Chamberlain Avenue. Responding Blue Shift companies could see heavy smoke on the way to the scene and found that the fire was well-advanced when they arrived. One resident was home at the time and managed to escape the burning structure. Firefighters quickly rescued several of her pets. Flames made their way to the newly-renovated house next door so crews worked hard to fight both fires at the same time.  Once they got the fire out in the secondary structure, firefighters then started spraying water out of the windows to attack the flames spewing from the primary structure. Aerial operations and crews on the ground also tackled the fire from all angles. Command rotated companies to allow them to rest for a few minutes. CFD, CPD, Investigations, Supply, HCEMS, EPB, Public Works, Building Department officials, command staff and training staff all played a part in the massive response. There were no injuries. The cause will be under investigation. Between 50-60 firefighters have been on the scene. Structural components were compromised within the home by the fire so the Land Development Office was contacted and an inspector conducted an emergency condemnation. Now the structure will be torn down in an effort to fully extinguish smoldering materials and prevent the fire from rekindling. We appreciate Tennessee American Water for helping us out by boosting water pressure in the area. Thanks to our partners with Tri-State Mutual Aid Association for helping fill in at our fire halls to answer other calls for service in the city. Also thanks to Sean Compton, President & CEO of Southern Spear Ironworks, for bringing dinner to the scene for all of the tired firefighters and other first responders.