Scrap yard fire burns for several hours

Multiple Chattanooga Fire companies worked a large scrap metal fire at SA Recycling (980 West 19th Street) on Tuesday, making smoke visible downtown. Green Shift personnel responded at 2:09 PM on 4/23/24. Metal, car parts, fuel tanks, water heaters, and other items were burning in the scrap yard. The CFD used every available water supply around the area of the incident to tackle the flames. Tennessee American Water boosted pressure for our operations and two squads boosted pressure at hydrants. One firefighter was transported to the hospital from the scene with a heat-related injury. He was treated and released. Out of an abundance of caution, a public safety message was sent out by Hamilton County 911 to let the public know what was going on and to limit their exposure to smoke. CPD, HCEMS, Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management, Air Pollution Control Bureau, Hamilton County Rescue, CFD Special Operations and CFD command staff assisted firefighters on the scene. Our mutual aid partners provided coverage at our fire halls while CFD personnel worked at the facility. More than four hours later, the fire was out. No buildings were involved. There’s no longer any smoke in the area so the “limit exposure” alert is no longer needed or in place. We appreciate the hard work of everyone involved in the extended response.