Chattanooga, TN – According to the CFD officials, several people were rescued from an apartment building in Chattanooga’s North Shore after a fire broke out overnight on November 22, 2024. At 1:32 AM, Red Shift companies were dispatched to 417 Frazier Avenue, where Engine 12 observed smoke as they approached the scene. Upon arriving, crews went to the back of the structure and found heavy smoke and flames coming from the parking garage. Multiple vehicles were on fire, and smoke from the blaze filled the entire building.
Firefighters quickly sprang into action, pulling handlines, forcing entry into the garage, and beginning fire attack. At the same time, other responding units focused on search and rescue efforts. Thick smoke and zero visibility made it impossible for residents to escape on their own. Firefighters used Ladder 1’s aerial to help several people down from the fourth floor, while others were assisted down a back staircase, accompanied by their pets.
In total, seven people were rescued, and five individuals were transported to the hospital for minor smoke inhalation. Two others were evaluated on-site by EMS. Crews worked tirelessly to fight the vehicle fires in the garage, using two attack lines and a third foam line to handle the gasoline tanks. Their efforts successfully contained the fire to the garage, preventing it from spreading to the rest of the building.
Firefighters conducted thorough searches on every floor, ensuring no other victims were trapped. By 2:30 AM, the fire was under control, and by 2:47 AM, it was fully extinguished. CFD investigators are currently working to determine the cause of the fire. The apartments sustained smoke damage, displacing residents, while several vehicles in the garage were also damaged.
Responding agencies included CFD, CPD, Hamilton County EMS, Hamilton County 911’s Incident Dispatch Unit, EPB, CFD Investigations, CFD Supply, and CFD Training Division. The Chattanooga Hamilton County Rescue Service assisted with rehab efforts. Mutual aid partners from surrounding fire departments covered calls at CFD fire stations while crews worked to control the two-alarm fire.
A commendable effort was made by all involved in fire suppression and rescue operations, with units from Engine 12, Ladder 1, Squad 1, Engine 5, Ladder 5, Engine 3, Engine 4, Engine 17, Ladder 13, Engine 14, Engine 15, Engine 16, Engine 3, Engine 10, Squad 20, Engine 9, Battalion 1, and Battalion 3 responding to the call.