News Releases

Information from the community helped in the quick apprehension of an arson suspect in Chattanooga. Jimmy Lebron Hill Jr., 31, was taken into custody Thursday morning by fire investigators and CPD. Hill is now charged with aggravated arson stemming from an intentionally set apartment fire that endangered the lives of other people at the complex. Residents were alerted to the sound of smoke alarms going off at their apartments on Grove Street Wednesday and they quickly notified 91l. Some neighbors even tried to help put the fire out with fire extinguishers. It happened at 10:46 AM at the Golden Gateway Apartments at 1110 Grove Street. First responding CFD companies found smoke and fire coming out of the window of one of the second floor apartments. They attacked the fire and had the flames knocked down in 15 minutes. All residents had safely evacuated the entire apartment building and a search of the structure confirmed that it was all clear. There were no injuries. CFD investigators developed Hill as the suspect in the case and they turned to the public for assistance in locating him. In a short timeframe, critical details were received that allowed authorities to track him down. Hill was brought in for questioning about the incident and then transported to jail.

“We greatly appreciate the relationship we have with the community and the assistance they were able to provide us in this case, leading to this major development with an arrest,” said Chattanooga Fire Chief Phil Hyman.

Residents were alerted to the sound of smoke alarms going off at a Chattanooga apartment complex Wednesday and they quickly notified 91l. Some neighbors even tried to help put the fire out with fire extinguishers. It happened at 10:46 AM at the Golden Gateway Apartments at 1110 Grove Street. First responding Green Shift units found smoke and fire coming out of the window of one of the second floor apartments. They made a quick attack and had the flames knocked down in 15 minutes. All residents had safely evacuated the entire apartment building and a search of the structure confirmed that it was all clear. There were no injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation. It appears that it was intentionally set. The building where today’s fire took place is on the back side of the building where a large fire occurred this past Labor Day. The two cases are not connected.

Smoke detectors woke up the occupants of a Hickory Valley Road home Wednesday morning so they could escape their burning residence. The call came out at 5:47 AM to the house in the 2000 block. Flames were knocked down quickly by Chattanooga firefighters, but additional fire was found underneath the structure. Crews were on the scene for some time checking for extension and monitoring hot spots. There were no injuries. Two people were displaced and will be receiving assistance from the Red Cross. The cause of the fire is under investigation. There’s substantial damage to the structure. This happened close to our shift change so Green Shift firefighters relieved Red Shift crews after a busy 24 hours on duty. Fire officials say this incident shows the importance of having working smoke alarms in your home.

"They are your first line of defense when something is wrong. It's crucial that your smoke detectors are functioning properly. Please check them today. They will save your life. They give you the time you need to get out," stressed Chattanooga Fire Marshal William Matlock.

The Chattanooga Fire Department responded to a small fire at a Hixson restaurant Tuesday morning that was caused by the hot water heater. Red Shift companies were called to 5922 Hixson Pike at 8:41 AM and they found a fire in the back of the business. Employees arriving to work tried to put it out with an extinguisher and called 911. The CFD also used an extinguisher and once they got the fire knocked down, they could hear a hissing sound. The gas was shut off to the entire strip mall and crews kept water on the impacted area of the restaurant to make sure the fire was fully extinguished. Further investigation revealed that there was a CO line in the restaurant that had a hole in it, not gas, and that was cut off as well. The gas company will reset the system to the complex. Engine 11, Ladder 19, Squad 19, Quint 16, Quint 10, Quint 6, Engine 4, Squad 7, Battalion 1, Battalion 3, EPB, HCEMS and Chattanooga Gas responded.