News Releases

The Chattanooga Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire prevention.” The theme works to educate everyone about the simple but important actions they can take when cooking to keep themselves and those around them safe.

According to the NFPA, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of cooking fires and deaths.

“Year after year, cooking accounts for nearly half (49 percent) of all U.S. home fires,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of outreach and advocacy at NFPA. “These numbers tell us that there is still much work to do when it comes to better educating the public about ways to stay safe when cooking.”

The CFD encourages all residents to embrace the 2023 Fire Prevention Week theme. “A cooking fire can grow quickly,” said Fire Marshal William Matlock. “We have seen many homes damaged and people injured by fires that could easily have been prevented.”

Here are key safety tips to help reduce the risk of a cooking fire:

1. Watch what you heat. Always keep a close eye on what you are cooking. Set a time to remind you that you are cooking.

2. Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Always keep a lid nearby when cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner.

3. Have a kid and pet-free zone of at least three feet around the stove or grill and anywhere else hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and cooking safety, visit www.fpw.org. For fire safety fun for kids, visit spark.org.

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A Chattanooga man has received additional prison time for the fatal fire that trapped his mother inside her home, killing her as she tried to escape. Joshua Wells, 33, was convicted of first degree murder back in July 2023 for the deadly 2016 arson on Rubio Street. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole and he could have been released at the age of 83. Today, he was sentenced for aggravated arson in the case, receiving an additional 23 years behind bars. Now, the earliest he can be paroled is when he is 105 years old. The Chattanooga Fire Department thanks District Attorney Coty Wamp and her prosecutors for joining our investigators in their fight for justice for the victim, Kimberly Wells. They never gave up on seeing this case through to the end. Additional gun and drug charges against Joshua Wells are still pending in the court system.

Chattanooga firefighters spent six hours on the scene of a commercial fire in Hixson. At 5 AM on Saturday 9/30/23, multiple 911 callers reported seeing flames coming from a business in the 4700 block of Adams Street off Hamill Road. Fire companies found a pallet yard, warehouse, several pieces of equipment and a camper burning. Firefighting operations got underway, including crews with handlines and two aerials flowing water. Heavy machinery was brought in order to break up the pallets and fully extinguish the fire. There were no injuries. Everyone got out of the camper. Occupants and pets were both accounted for. Squad 19, Ladder 19, Engine 11, Quint 16, Quint 6, Engine 15, Quint 10, Squad 7, Ladder 7, Battalion 2, and Battalion 3 Green Shift responded. Our mutual aid partners provided coverage at our fire halls while our crews were on this call. The cause of the fire is under investigation. There’s extensive damage to equipment and contents at the business.

Hixson pallet fire

CFD personnel assisted East Ridge FD with firefighting operations at a three-alarm commercial fire at Camping World (6728 Ringgold Rd). Catoosa County Fire Department, Rossville FD, and Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department provided manpower as well. More CFD companies were requested and additional firefighters reported to the scene. Mutual aid partner agencies provided coverage at fire halls while so many fire companies and agencies worked this big blaze. Multiple 911 callers reported seeing smoke and flames coming from the structure around 6:30 PM on Friday 9/22/23. Two alarms quickly grew to three alarms in order to bring more resources to this location. As of 9 PM, the fire was under control. No injuries that the CFD is aware of. Great work by all of the emergency crews on this scene. Squad 13, Ladder 13, Quint 8, Engine 21, and Battalion 2 Green Shift responded with other area fire departments. CFD’s Operations Chief, Mutual Aid coordinators, EPB, HCEMS, East Ridge PD, and the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Rescue’s Rehab Unit were also present.

East Ridge three alarmer

Engine 9 and Ladder 5 Green Shift responded to a car crash where a car left the East Ridge tunnels at a high rate of speed and left the roadway upon exiting the tunnel, striking a tree and catching fire. Firefighters encountered difficult conditions upon E9’s arrival due to the steep terrain and vegetation overgrowth. The fire was extinguished and 1 victim was located deceased inside the car.

Tunnel crash and fire