News Releases

A woman and her dog escaped their burning home with only seconds to spare as a grease fire in the kitchen spread very quickly. On Thursday 9/14/23 at 2:12 PM, Red Shift companies responded to a residence in the 5100 block of Lantana Lane off Highway 58 in the Ware Heights subdivision. The call originally came in as a fire alarm and then a neighbor called 911 to report that the kitchen was on fire. Engine 15 could see smoke from Highway 58 and when they arrived on the scene, Lt. Michael Battle took command. Heavy fire and smoke was showing from the front and side of the house. The garage and kitchen were fully involved. Firefighters established a water supply and then several crews went in for an aggressive offensive fire attack as flames broke through the roof. The garage and car parked inside the garage were on fire with gasoline from the car burning, adding to the fire fight. Several hundred feet of supply line was needed and pressure was boosted due to the extended length of the lay. Firefighters had the blaze under control in 10-15 minutes and prevented the fire from ravaging the rest of the structure. The resident stated that she was home at the time cooking when she found herself dealing with a grease fire. She went to call 911 and when she turned back, the flames had spread rapidly. She grabbed her dog and got out without any injuries. She will be receiving assistance from the American Red Cross as she deals with the aftermath of this fire. Responding units/agencies included: Engine 15, Quint 6, Quint 8, Ladder 7, Squad 19, Battalion 2, Battalion 3, CFD Safety Chief, HCEMS, CPD and EPB. Thank you to Red Bank FD and East Ridge FD for filling in at our fire halls to provide coverage while our crews worked this incident. Battalion Chief Brandon Schroyer praised the excellent work of firefighters on the scene and the tactics they employed to tackle the fire in a fast, safe and effective manner.

The men and women of the Chattanooga Fire Department are mourning the loss of one of our own. It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Captain Tom Montgomery, a 25-year veteran of the department. Captain Montgomery, 51, passed away Friday night (9/8/23) and his death has left our firefighters holding tight to memories of him at the fire halls and out on calls working together. Tom came to us on October 15, 1997 from the Public Works Division. He served in our Supply Division before being assigned to the Training Division as a new recruit and then became a sworn firefighter. He brought many skills to the table from his outdoor background that made him an asset on our Hazardous Materials Team and our Urban Search and Rescue Team. He had an illustrious career and worked his way through the ranks, becoming a captain in 2008. He continued to provide leadership in that role throughout the rest of his career. He worked on engines, ladders and squads and had a wealth of experience on each of those apparatus. At the end of his career, he served North Chattanooga as a captain on Engine 12 Blue Shift. His personal and professional contributions to the department and the community will be greatly missed. Our thoughts remain with his loved ones and his extended CFD family during this time. Funeral arrangements will be private at the request of Tom’s family. Counseling services are being provided for firefighters.

This moving poem was written about Captain Montgomery by his coworker and friend, Captain John Long (Quint 14 Blue Shift):
“I hope you find big water and fish on the fire other side, Tom.
In the heart of the mountains, where the wild rivers flow,
Lived Tom, with a spirit that always did glow.
Adventures he sought, with friends by his side,
Creek boating, and camping, with nature as his guide.
In his cabin of logs, perched high on the peak,
He found solace and joy, the quiet he'd seek.
But in bustling town, or deep forest glen,
With skillet or pot, he'd cook now and then.
Rod in hand the Crappie he’d land, catching his fill for a tasty meal
Fish tacos he’d make for his friends’ delight,
Stomachs full on a summer’s night.
On every call, amidst the fray,
Tom stood calm, come what may.
Where chaos roared and flames showing, guiding the fight with water flowing.
So here's to dear Tom, and the life that he led,
To the memories shared, and the tears that we shed.
His spirit remains, in the breeze and the stream,
Forever in our hearts, he will always be.”

A suspect has been taken into custody and faces multiple charges in connection with damages done to the Chattanooga Masonic Center. Kadum Harwood, 29, was arrested Monday evening in Catoosa County, GA and he will be extradited to Hamilton County, TN. He is charged with arson, vandalism, burglary and reckless endangerment. At 2:11 AM on 9/4/23, firefighters responded to the Masonic Lodge at 551 W 21st Street on a fire alarm activation. When CFD personnel arrived on scene, they found a fire on the left front exterior of the building which was quickly extinguished. Also, the front doors were open and as crews made entry, they found another small fire inside the structure which had activated the sprinkler system. The sprinklers effectively extinguished the interior fire. Along with fire and water damage, there was also damage to the building from vandalism. Through the course of a multi-agency investigation involving CFD investigators and law enforcement, Harwood was identified as the suspect in the case.

A fire at East Lake Academy of Fine Arts is under investigation. At 10:36 AM on Friday 9/1/23, Chattanooga Fire was called to the school at 2700 E 34th Street on reports of a small fire in the second floor boys bathroom. The School Resource Officer extinguished the fire and CFD personnel ventilated the structure. One teacher suffered some smoke inhalation, but denied treatment by HCEMS. A CFD investigator and fire inspector responded, along with Engine 9, Quint 14, Engine 5, Ladder 5, Ladder 1, Ladder 13, Squad 20, Battalion 1, Battalion 2, and Battalion 3 Blue Shift. The entire school was evacuated until fire officials deemed it safe for students to return to the building. There were no other injuries. Great work by the school staff executing their fire evacuation protocols and by the SRO for taking quick action to put out the fire.