News Releases

The Chattanooga Fire Department worked a residential fire Thursday night on Crestfield Drive.

Crews were called to a home in the 3200 block at 7 PM and spotted smoke coming from the structure.

They found flames coming from the back corner of the house and went to work attacking the fire.

All of the residents were outside and after a thorough search, no one else was found inside the residence.

Firefighters quickly got the fire under control and ventilated the house.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. One firefighter was transported to the hospital for heat exposure and later released.

Battalion 1, Battalion 2, Engine 15, Engine 4, Engine 5, Ladder 5, Squad 13, Squad 1, EPB, CPD and HCEMS were on the scene.

The American Red Cross will be assisting the residents.

The Chattanooga Fire Department received an unexpected visit Thursday morning at Station 16 in Hixson.

A man arrived at the fire hall just before 9 AM and informed the crew that he had an old WWII Japanese hand grenade in his truck. He needed help getting rid of the explosive device.

Firefighters took precautions and called the Chattanooga Police Department’s Bomb Squad to help properly dispose of the grenade.

The man stated that he is getting ready to move and spotted the item while he was packing. He indicated that it belonged to his father-in-law.

No one was injured. We appreciate CPD’s assistance.

Charges have been filed against the suspect accused of setting fire to a Hixson home, injuring several Chattanooga police officers and himself in the process.

Robert Vandergriff, 41, faces the following charges from CFD: Aggravated Arson, Reckless Endangerment and five counts of Attempted First Degree Murder.

Chattanooga fire investigators say Vandergriff set two fires inside a home on Eldridge Drive Sunday night when police officers tried to arrest him- a fire at the front door and at a rear entrance- so that the officers could get injured or killed when they came inside.

The attempted murder charges pertain to three police officers who were injured during the incident and two residents who live on the other side of the duplex whose lives were also endangered by Vandergriff’s actions.

The suspect is still in the hospital. He will face those charges once he is released. He will be extradited back to Hamilton County and booked.

He was transported to an out of state hospital due to his injuries.

The Chattanooga Fire Department is mourning the death of Senior Firefighter Chad Crisp, 43. Chad passed away over the weekend from a lengthy, brave battle with cancer. He worked at Station 16 and he is already greatly missed by his fellow firefighters.

Our thoughts are with his wife, Leah, his children and his extended family members during this difficult time.

One CFD captain summed up what many in the department are feeling: “Rest well, brother. The CFD family lost one of the best. Chad Crisp #Q16”

Chad became a proud second-generation member of the Chattanooga Fire Department in 2000. He loved his work, and was well known for his fire hall antics that brought comic relief to a difficult job.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2020 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Hamilton Funeral Home (4506 Hixson Pike).

Attendees are requested to wear a mask.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Chad’s honor to the Chattanooga Fire Fighters Support Foundation. Checks can be mailed or dropped off at 6216 Perimeter Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37421. Venmo donations can be sent to @CFFSF. The Chattanooga Fire Fighters Support Foundation is a local non-profit dedicated to providing care for Chattanooga’s firefighters and their families.