News Releases

Chattanooga firefighters responded to a damaged gas line Tuesday afternoon near 4th Avenue and E 25th Street. Once on scene, they discovered the actual location and redeployed units to seal off the area and evacuate businesses as needed. Chattanooga Gas Company responded to stop the leak and repair the damaged line. The gas line was breached as a utility company was drilling to place new utility poles. Squad 1, Ladder 1, Engine 9 and Battalion 1 Red Shift were on the scene. The Chattanooga Police Department was also called to help block traffic and assist in evacuating some businesses. By 6:09 PM, the gas line was clamped and CFD cleared the scene. Crews from the gas company were still on site to make repairs. Chattanooga Gas released the following information as well: “A contractor digging for a project unrelated to Chattanooga Gas damaged a service line near the 2400 block of 4th Avenue in Chattanooga; however, Chattanooga Gas crews are now on the scene working with first responders to safely make repairs.”

A fire at a Hixson home Saturday night is believed to be electrical in nature. At 9:05 PM, the Chattanooga Fire Department was called to a house in the 5500 block of Crestview Drive. The residents indicated that they heard a popping noise and then the home started filling up with smoke. While responding, one of the companies could see smoke in the distance. Engine 22 arrived on scene and found a working fire. They got a good knockdown on it, mostly containing it to the garage area. All of the firefighters on the scene continued working together to get the fire under control and fully extinguished and then they began overhaul. The garage sustained significant damage and there was smoke damage to the rest of the house. There were no injuries. Responding companies/agencies included: Ladder 19, Squad 19, Quint 16, Engine 11, Engine 22, Squad 7, Battalion 2, Battalion 3 (Green Shift), EPB and HCEMS.

A Chattanooga couple had a brush with danger when a huge tree fell on their home. It happened at 5PM in the 1400 block of North Orchard Knob Avenue. The residents, who were home at the time, escaped injury when the large tree crashed into their living room. Fire officials believe the rain-soaked soil contributed to the old tree coming down on the couple’s house. It caused major damage. When firefighters arrived on the scene, the residents were still inside. They were able to exit safely out of the back of the structure. The American Red Cross was contacted to provide them assistance. Engine 4 and Battalion 3 (Red Shift) responded, along with CPD, Chattanooga Public Works nand EPB.

The Chattanooga Fire Department responded to a commercial fire Thursday morning on 8th Avenue. The call came out at 7:37 AM to Mitchell Industrial Tire Company and responding units were informed that a possible solvent was on fire in a barrel at the business. Engine 9 found smoke showing on arrival, laid a line and started an investigation. At one point, a large plume of smoke was visible. Fire officials asked nearby companies to shelter in place and advised them to shut off their ventilation systems as a safety precaution. Engine 9 and Engine 5 made an interior attack, found the smoldering product and extinguished it. The next hurdle was ventilation because the entire building was filled with smoke. Crews used multiple positive pressure vans along with the ventilation system at the business to help clear the smoke. Air monitors were used to check the building to confirm that everything was clear before employees were allowed to re-enter. After employees had re-entered, businesses to the north were advised that they could resume normal operations. All of the employees at Mitchell Industrial Tire Company made it safely out of the business at the time of the fire and there were no injuries. Engine 9, Engine 5, Quint 14, Squad 13, Ladder 5, Ladder 1, Quint 1, Squad 1, Battalion 1, Battalion 2 (Red Shift), CFD Special Operations and HCEMS responded.