UPDATE: A cause has been found for the Frazier Avenue apartment fire that happened around 1:30am on November 22, resulting in seven rescues.
The Chattanooga Fire Department believes that the fire was started by an electric vehicle (EV) in the parking garage. Most of the cars in the garage had significant heat damage, including two vehicles and the EV. Smoke damage in the businesses and apartments above the garage was also found.
CFD investigators say they believe the fire was started by an electric vehicle in the parking garage.
The Chattanooga Fire Department says this is their first large-scale incident relating to an EV.
PREVIOUS STORY: Five people were sent to a local hospital after an apartment fire broke out on Frazier Avenue Friday morning, according to the Chattanooga Fire Department.
Firefighters rescued a total of seven people.
Responders were called to 417 Frazier Avenue around 1:30 am.
According to CFD, several vehicles were on fire in a parking garage connected to the apartment building. The fire remained contained in the garage and did not spread to the building.
“There were multiple vehicles on fire,” said Lindsey Rogers with the Chattanooga Fire Department. “The smoke from the vehicle fires made its way throughout the building, so we had half of our crews in the sub-level garage working to extinguish those car fires. We had the other half of our crews working to do multiple rescues.”
Heavy smoke made its way into the building where some residents needed assistance to escape. Some residents had to evacuate by climbing down an aerial ladder from multiple stories up. Residents expressed their gratitude for the firefighters response.
“We were relieved that we were able to get them out of there and keep them safe,” said CFD Battalion Chief, Ashley May.
“This is a part of what we do,” said CFD Battalion Chief, Carlos Hampton. “This is never a good moment to show up on something like this, but we’re always ready to go whenever bell rings.”
We are continuing to work with officials for more information.
Stay with Local 3 News for updates.
