Chattanooga, TN – The Chattanooga Fire Department addressed misinformation circulating on social media following the three-alarm fire at the Integra Vistas apartment complex in Hixson, providing additional details about the water supply used to battle the blaze.
According to the department, the apartment complex has private fire hydrants that are the responsibility of the property owner to test and maintain. Fire officials said those hydrants were used during the response, though they were designed to support smaller fires and did not provide enough water volume for a fire of the size firefighters encountered on Sunday.
Because of the significant water demand, the Chattanooga Fire Department supplemented its water supply by connecting to the nearest public hydrant, located about a mile away. The department said the public hydrants, operated by the Hixson Utility District and inspected by firefighters twice each year, were located along Highway 153. Firefighters quickly deployed more than 6,500 feet of supply hose to bring water to the scene.
The department also noted that the placement of fire hydrants is determined by state regulations and overseen by the local water provider, which in this case is the Hixson Utility District.
Fire officials urged residents not to attempt to inspect or operate fire hydrants on their own, warning that doing so can be dangerous and may damage hydrants or water mains if handled improperly.
The Chattanooga Fire Department also confirmed that the apartment buildings were equipped with a sprinkler system.
The department said its thoughts remain with the dozens of families affected by the fire and expressed appreciation for the community’s support as those impacted begin the recovery process.