Firefighters describe response as community rallies after Hixson apartment fire

Chattanooga Fire Department

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- We are learning more about the cause and response to a major apartment fire in Hixson on Sunday.

If you were anywhere near Hixson Sunday afternoon, you likely saw the giant smoke plume from miles away coming from the Integra Vistas Apartment.

The fire at Building 188 caused the first three alarm fire response for the Chattanooga Fire Department since a fire at Patten Towers in 2021.

Chattanooga fire chief Terry Knowles says that a lightning strike from Sunday’s severe thunderstorms were the cause of this fire.

Chief Knowles said, “We had multiple people that were on scene, residents that saw it and that heard it.”

According to the National Fire Protection Association, lightning starts over 20-thousand building fires across America each year, the majority in the summer.

Chief Knowles says there’s not a way to prevent strikes from causing fires.

He said, “They are common for us.”

The chief said that the nearest fire hydrant to the apartment had low water pressure, forcing fire crews to extend hoses out to the next water main over a mile away, prompting that three alarm response.

Chief Knowles said, “We brought in the third alarm to to have enough pumpers to relay the water because it was an over a mile long hose lay to be able to have the pressure and the water supply that we needed before because of that large fire.”

As we previously reported, there are plans for over 400 new homes to be built in the land adjacent to these apartments.

Chief Knowles says with those new buildings, there will need to be new hydrants.

He said, “I can’t quote specifically on how many hydrants they will have to build, they’ll have to go by the building codes just like everybody else so they’ll be placed based on the building codes.”

Roughly 40 apartment units were destroyed, displacing 70 residents.

No occupants were injured, and two firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion and released.

He says the fact no residents were hurt by the blaze is a testament to the work done by first responders.

Chief Knowles said, “It was quick work by CFD and also CPD. They assisted us with going knocking on the doors to get people out as soon as they got on scene along with us. We work together and have a good partnership.”

Meanwhile, community members have responded to the need this fire has caused.

The Berean Baptist Church just down Highway 153 in Hixson started collecting supplies for the victims of the fire.

Pastor Tim Brown says a church member contacted them about the situation, prompting their response.

They are working with the American Red Cross to identify the primary needs of the victims, saying they hope to be a light for them in this dark time.

Pastor Brown said, “The response has been great. People on Facebook, emailing us, asking how we can help. So the outpouring of generosity has been heartwarming in light of a very tragic event… We want the victims to know they have hope through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and that God loves them and there’s a community here that will be here for them.”

Community members can stop by the church to drop off donation items.

Pastor Brown says the most needed items are clothing, toiletries, and pet supplies. 

He says the church stays open until 5 p.m. during the week.

There were also several pets rescued, with the help of the McKamey Animal Center.