A massive fire at the old Highland Park Baptist Church that began Friday and required over 100 firefighters and 21 of the Chattanooga Fire Department's 26 companies was finally contained early Saturday morning and later extinguished. A shelter-in-place recommendation had been issued Friday night for nearby residents due to heavy smoke in the area.
The scene of the fire, now part of the Redemption to the Nations Church campus, was located at the corner of Union Avenue and South Orchard Knob Avenue. The fire was contained around 2 a.m. Saturday and extinguished shortly after 2 p.m. after residents were advised to stay indoors with doors and windows closed shortly before 11 p.m. Friday, according to a Chattanooga Fire Department news release.
Several streets, including parts of Bailey Avenue, South Willow Avenue, South Orchard Knob Avenue, South Beech Street and Union Avenue, were also closed to all traffic and pedestrians as fire crews worked to extinguish the flames.
The fire was first reported at 7:13 p.m. after a passerby spotted smoke. Some crews reported seeing smoke from the fire hall as they were leaving and found on arrival heavy, black smoke coming from all four sides of the building, as well as the roof, a fire department news release states.
After church officials advised that the vacant building was structurally unsafe, firefighters were evacuated. Ladder trucks were positioned on all sides of the building to help contain the fire to the building of origin and protect adjacent structures. Portions of the church had to be torn down so firefighters could fully extinguish the fire, which was burning in multiple locations on multiple floors, according to a fire department tweet.
The fire department is working with contractors to make sure that impacted areas and remaining walls are secure and stable for public safety, a Saturday news release states. The department reported that the church and contractors have indicated they are going to do what they can to save the bell tower and stained glass windows, according to a Saturday evening tweet.
The cause of the fire will be investigated. No injuries were reported.
- Compiled by Kim Sebring
So many have asked- the church and contractors have indicated that they are going to do what they can to save the bell tower and stained glass windows. pic.twitter.com/pqu36kAy2a
— Chattanooga Fire Department (@ChattFireDept) June 11, 2022
Portions of the church have been torn down so that firefighters can fully extinguish the fire burning in multiple locations on multiple floors. pic.twitter.com/zjHBj6EOXO
— Chattanooga Fire Department (@ChattFireDept) June 11, 2022
Residents living within these blocks: 3rd St to Highland Park Ave, 3rd St in between Glenwood Parkway & Highland Park Ave, extending South to East Main St at Highland Park Ave & up to Dodds Ave are asked to shelter in place due to the smoke. Stay inside, close windows and doors. pic.twitter.com/vDoTwWJfC5
— Chattanooga Fire Department (@ChattFireDept) June 11, 2022