News Releases

A disabled Army veteran trying to help a friend with some yard work has passed away from his injuries following a terrible accident that left him with serious burns.

It happened around 1:45 PM Monday (11/25) behind a home in the 3000 block of Wheeler Avenue.

The victim, 57, was trying to burn a very large stump in his neighbor’s backyard using a mixture of oil and gasoline.

His neighbor heard a loud boom when the container exploded and as flames blew back onto the victim, he suffered burns to his entire body.

His neighbor rushed to his aid and pulled off the man’s burning clothes in an effort to minimize his injuries and called 911.

He was rushed to Erlanger Hospital and then airlifted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Burn Center where he passed away.

CPD and Hamilton County EMS assisted CFD on the scene.

Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends during this difficult time. He was well-known in his neighborhood for always being willing to help others in the community.

Sunday evening shortly after 9 pm, CFD responded to a possible structure fire at a house in the 2900 block of Crescent Circle.

The occupant of the home stated that they could smell smoke and discovered a dark area where the ceiling and wall met.

They called 911 and exited the residence.

When our crews arrived on scene, they found light smoke coming from the attic.

Firefighters found where electrical wires were burning in the attic.

The fire was quickly extinguished and damage to the home was minimal.

No one was injured.

It will be a few days before anyone will be able to stay in the home, while electrical repairs are made.

CPD, HCEMS and EPB assisted on the scene.

Firefighters rushed to a fire on an interstate ramp tonight and photos from the scene showed what they were up against when they arrived and found a burning tractor trailer.

It happened at 10:30 pm on the exit ramp of Interstate 24E to Interstate 75S.

The East Ridge Fire Department got there first and started to attack the fire, but more water and manpower was needed.

Chattanooga units were already on the way and helped get the fire out.

Multiple units from both fire departments were part of the operation, as well as Chattanooga police and East Ridge PD.

The truck is a total loss, but thankfully, the driver was not injured.

Responding officials say the tractor trailer struck a side wall and then caught on fire.

The ramp was shut down during clean up and investigation. The truck was carrying ceiling tile, the driver told crews. 

Firefighters and EPB crews helped a worker stuck in an extended boom truck. Photos captured the rescue high up in the trees.

Quint 13, Engine 15 and Battalion 2 were dispatched to 1001 Woodmore Terrace at 6 PM Friday.

They found a tree service boom truck extended with the business owner in the bucket. He had two helpers with him trying to find a way to get him down.

Firefighters tried to access any type of emergency valve release and engaged the hydraulics for the boom hoping to see if maybe a switch or lever had been flipped off.

As they explored solutions, they also requested a boom truck to respond to the location and EPB arrived on the scene.

EPB personnel pulled up to the truck and extended their boom to see if it was possible to reach the worker, but it was a few feet short so to make up the difference in length, they used a ladder.

They stabilized the ladder and a rope was attached to the worker for fall protection.

He successfully made it to EPB’s bucket and was lowered to the ground. The worker was not injured.