Downtown Arson Probes Underway

A string of intentionally set fires in Downtown Chattanooga forced the evacuation of two apartment buildings very early Tuesday morning and had CFD companies working at multiple locations. There were 11 dumpster and trash fires from Main Street to Cowart Street. It’s believed the fires were all set at the same time, around midnight. Two apartment buildings (one at 14th & Market and the other at East Main & Market) had to be evacuated because smoke from the dumpster fires went throughout the structures, setting off the fire alarms. Heat from the fires in the trash chutes also set off sprinkler systems in those areas. Both buildings were ventilated to remove the smoke and residents were then able to return to their homes. Water from the sprinkler systems was confined to the trash chutes. Great work by Green Shift units to get the fires extinguished quickly in so many different spots. The investigation into the downtown arson cases is ongoing. CFD investigators are actively working to pursue all angles and leads.

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