Possible homeless encampment fire spreads to surrounding woods

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Around 3:30 p.m., Hamilton County 911 began receiving reports from drivers who spotted smoke and flames in the area of Cherokee Boulevard and West Manning Street.

Jake Moss, a nearby neighbor, explained what he heard and witnessed.

“It was like an explosion, like a pop. We actually saw the big black flame column come up out of the woods. I called the police. I thought maybe it was a car battery back there, but I could see it was a structure. There were flat and wood beams, and then, I don’t know, it just started spreading.”

Battalion Chief Chris LaFerry with the Chattanooga Fire Department confirmed that a homeless encampment had caught fire, with flames quickly spreading into the surrounding wooded area.

“We pulled in, treating this as a possible commercial fire due to heavy, black smoke in the area. When arriving on scene, we saw that it was a possible homeless encampment because it was back in the woods. It took us a while to make access to it due to the heavily wooded area and the fenced-in property. We made access to it, and we were able to grab a hose line up there. We got it out pretty quick.”

As the fire spread, it crept closer to nearby buildings, and thick plumes of smoke raised concerns among neighbors.

Moss expressed that the experience was nerve-racking but was grateful the fire department arrived just minutes later.

The firefighters managed to extinguish the flames before they could cause further damage, and no injuries were reported.

“No injuries, everybody’s safe,” Battalion Chief LaFerry assured those on the scene.