News Releases

Chattanooga firefighters dealt with brutal terrain as they fought a Hixson house fire Thursday morning. Just after 10 AM, Chattanooga police officers rolled up on a home in the 6000 block of Brandywine Lane and reported that smoke was coming from the roof of the structure. Engine 22 confirmed that there was smoke in the area as they were headed to the scene and on arrival, they saw flames coming from the roof in the front and back of the residence. Firefighters made an initial interior attack and searched the house. They backed out of the structure due to concerns about the roof collapsing. Later, firefighters were able to safely go back inside to get the fire fully extinguished and they recovered two dogs- one upstairs and one downstairs. They were able to revive one of the pets but unfortunately, the other one didn’t survive. No residents were home at the time of the fire and there were no other injuries. The cause will be under investigation. The home sustained significant damage. The residents will be receiving assistance from the American Red Cross. This was an exhausting operation for responding Red Shift companies. The house is on a long, steep hill that exacerbated exertion to attack the fire. Extra units were called to the scene so that crews could be rotated in and out. This is the third house fire the CFD has worked within 24 hours. 

Two families were able to escape a burning home Thursday morning thanks to one of the residents. At 4:27 AM, the Chattanooga Fire Department was called to a house in the 900 block of Hamilton Avenue for a residential fire and found flames coming from the front porch. Thankfully, the families who live upstairs and downstairs made out safely because one of the residents woke up to the smell of smoke, spotted the fire and immediately took action to alert everyone else. Firefighters made a quick, aggressive attack on the front of the structure and extinguished the flames. The cause of the fire is under investigation. There were no injuries. Multiple Green Shift companies responded to the scene, along with CPD and Hamilton County EMS. The American Red Cross will be assisting the impacted residents. 

A Hixson family lost their pet in a fire Wednesday night. At 7:09 PM, the Chattanooga Fire Department responded to a fire alarm at a residence in the 4600 block of Norcross Road and it was upgraded to a residential fire response. Firefighters made a quick interior attack on the bedroom blaze and got the fire under control in approximately 10 minutes. The residents were not home at the time of the fire, but once on the scene, they notified crews that a small dog was inside. The pet was located and brought out of the structure unresponsive. Firefighters performed CPR and provided oxygen, but sadly, the dog could not be revived. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Multiple Green Shift companies responded.

First responders from across the region will be uniting to honor the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks during a special event in Downtown Chattanooga. The commemoration will be held on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 10 AM at Ross’s Landing at 201 Riverfront Parkway. There will be a ceremony followed by a large group photo. All area public safety agencies are invited to take part in the event. Local leaders and members of the military will also be in attendance.

The event will mark the passage of two decades since the day that changed our country forever. It left a profound impact on emergency services.

“We want to pay tribute to all of the first responders who helped in the immediate aftermath, as well as the rescue/recovery operations in the days, weeks and months that followed the attack,” said Chattanooga Fire Department’s Operations Chief Rick Boatwright. “We are also honoring all first responders for their dedication and service- those in Hamilton County, throughout Tennessee and across the country.”

The event is being hosted by the Chattanooga Fire Department and the City of Chattanooga. First responders will gather in a show of solidarity and respect for those who made the ultimate sacri-fice as they rushed to the scene to help others in the wake of the attack.

“We want to keep their memory alive. Their efforts to aid others inspired other first responders around the world to serve their communities and their legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of everyone who answers emergency calls,” stated Chattanooga Fire Chief Phil Hyman.

All local media outlets are welcome to cover the event. It is open to the public. All unvaccinated individuals will be required to wear a mask at this event. Because Hamilton County is cur-rently an area with high and substantial transmission of the Delta Variant, it is recommended that vaccinated individuals bring a mask in the event that social distancing is not possible during the ceremony. All participants will be asked to wear their masks during the group photo because of the inability to avoid close contact with one another. Mask requirements are subject to change. We have taken enhanced health and safety measures for attendees and program participants of this event. Please follow all posted instructions and CDC recommendations while attending the 9/11 20th Anniversary event. An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public space where people are present. COVID-19, and particularly the current Delta variant, is extremely con-tagious and can lead to severe illness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, senior citizens and individuals with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable. By attending the 9/11 20th Anniversary event, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.