CFD Battles Second Alarm Apartment Fire

The Chattanooga Fire Department launched a successful firefighting operation Thursday night, stopping the spread of a second alarm apartment fire.

It happened at 7:11 PM at The Hills at Oakwood Apartment Homes on Oakwood Drive near the intersection of Highway 58 and Jersey Pike.

When responding units arrived, there was heavy smoke and flames coming from Building 1.

Crews attempted an interior attack, but they were quickly pushed out by heavy fire.

Thankfully, all of the residents escaped the burning building.

At 9 PM, the fire was marked under control.

We used four hydrants to supply enough water to get the fire out.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. The apartments share a common attic so it was easy for flames to travel through the structure.

Firefighters conducted multiple searches and no one was found inside. Two cats were rescued.

We had at least a dozen trucks on the scene as of 9 PM and approximately 40 firefighters.

Crews rotated out due to the heat.

“Firefighters made a brave attempt to knock the fire down quickly, but it was too dangerous. We started a defensive attack and set up aerial devices to stop the spread of the fire in this complex. Everyone out here pushed through the heat and did an outstanding job,” said Fire Chief Phil Hyman on the scene.

Seven units were destroyed in Building 1. Crews saved three apartments, but they sustained smoke and water damage.

The American Red Cross will be assisting impacted residents.

Special thanks to all of the agencies that helped CFD with this massive operation. Hamilton County EMS monitored vitals on a number of firefighters to check for heat exhaustion.

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