An overnight electrical fire damaged a Chattanooga home, but thankfully,
the residents are safe and uninjured. The following information is from
Captain Wadie Suttles III (Engine 4 Red Shift), who was the incident
commander. Our officers don’t get enough credit for the detailed reports
they write after spending hours on a scene fighting a fire, gathering
information and cleaning up all of the equipment. At 2:44 AM on 10/3/25,
Engine 4, Engine 5, Ladder 5, Engine 10, Squad 1, Battalion 1 and Battalion
3 were dispatched to a home in the 1800 block of Newton Street on a
residential fire. Engine 4 arrived on scene and found heavy smoke showing
from all sides of the structure. All occupants were found outside and
walking across the street on arrival.
E4 established fire attack, deploying a 1.75” attack line and advancing it
to the “C”harlie side. On arrival, E5 provided the supply line from the
intersection of Newton St @ Sheridan Ave., L5 reported to command and made
entry from the “C”harlie side to become Fire Attack group 1 (crew of 4 and
1 member from E4). E10 arrived and performed the primary and secondary
search. S1 arrived and became RIT. Once the supply line was laid into E4,
E5 stood by but eventually relieved the initial fire attack group. BC3
arrived and provided aid to command.
E4 found heavy smoke conditions from all sides of the structure. A 360 was
performed to find heavy fire conditions on side “C”harlie. An 1.75” attack
line was deployed and advanced to the Charlie side. A quick knock down was
made from the exterior to slow down the fire growth. L5 arrived and made
entry from the Charlie side with one member of E4. The fire was confined to
a utility room on the “C” side back porch. Fire attack transitioned to
overhaul within 15 minutes. The fire was rendered under control at 3:05 AM.
Fire spread was mostly confined to the area of origin, with the kitchen
receiving moderate to heavy damage as well. The rest of the house received
heavy smoke damage.
S1 established RIT until the fire was under control. E10 performed the
primary and secondary and found nothing inside. E4 and L5 assisted the
investigator on scene with his efforts. After completing the investigation,
it was determined that the fire was unintentional from faulty wiring
beneath the floorboard in the utility room. The wiring was associated with
the building’s circuit breaker. Occupants of the residence advised that
they were awakened after they heard a pop from the rear of the residence.
They found heavy smoke coming from the kitchen area, near the utility. No
injuries were reported during fire operations. The American Red Cross will
be assisting two displaced residents.
