Chattanooga, September 20, 2025
News Summary
The Chattanooga Fire Department addressed a partial collapse of the historic Car Barn building during its demolition. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The site will remain closed while a building inspector examines the damage. Concerns have emerged about the building’s historical significance amidst development plans for a new hotel.
Chattanooga
On Thursday afternoon, the Chattanooga Fire Department responded to a partial collapse of a former Car Barn building that was undergoing demolition. The emergency call was received at 4:10 p.m., leading to the dispatch of multiple fire companies to the scene. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in connection with the structural failure.
Initial responders arrived to find bricks and debris scattered across the sidewalk near the building located at the corner of Market and East Third streets. Following the incident, most fire companies were released after confirming that no one was harmed. However, work at the demolition site has been halted until a building inspector can assess the extent of the damage and the safety of the remaining structure.
Demolition of the historic Car Barn began in July by Drury Development, which has plans to construct an eight-story, 200-room Drury Plaza Hotel at 301 Market St. The hotel construction followed design updates to comply with local downtown codes.
In the aftermath of the collapse, the area surrounding the building has been cordoned off to prevent any potential hazards. Following the incident, only one lane of traffic on East Third Street remains open alongside the collapsed building.
The brick structure, which has been a part of Chattanooga since 1886, originally served as a storage and repair facility for the city’s public transit until the 1980s. More recently, it housed the Sportsbarn athletic club, which ceased operations earlier this year in 2023.
Critics of the demolition project, including Todd Morgan, executive director of Preserve Chattanooga, have raised concerns regarding the building’s historical significance, noting that it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Morgan pointed out that ownership of the property does not excuse developers from their obligation to preserve important historical sites for the community’s benefit.
In response to the incident, the Drury Development company indicated plans to incorporate some of the original building materials into the design of the new hotel, although a spokesperson for Drury Hotels could not be reached for comment on the collapse and its potential impacts on ongoing projects.
Key Details About the Incident
- Incident Type: Partial building collapse
- Location: Downtown Chattanooga at the corner of Market and East Third streets
- Date and Time: Thursday afternoon at 4:10 p.m.
- Fire Department Response: Multiple companies responded; no injuries reported
- Demolition Progress: Initiated in July by Drury Development for a new hotel
- Building History: Constructed in 1886, previously used for public transit storage and repair
- Future Plans: Drury Development aims to integrate historic materials into hotel design
- Public Reaction: Concerns voiced about the loss of a historic site
Background Information
The Car Barn was an integral part of Chattanooga’s history, serving essential functions for the city’s transportation industry for many decades. As the city progresses with modernization, the balance between development and historical preservation continues to spark local debate. Advocates like Todd Morgan highlight the importance of maintaining historical integrity even amidst transformation, raising questions for future development projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the partial collapse of the Car Barn building?
The exact cause of the collapse is currently under investigation, and work at the demolition site has been halted until a building inspector can assess the structure.
What are the plans for the site following the collapse?
Drury Development plans to continue with their project, which includes constructing an eight-story, 200-room Drury Plaza Hotel. They also stated intentions to incorporate some of the original building materials into the new design.
Was anyone injured during the collapse?
No injuries were reported in connection with the partial building collapse.
What historical significance does the Car Barn hold?
Constructed in 1886, the Car Barn was a storage and repair facility for Chattanooga’s public transit until the 1980s, and it was also home to the Sportsbarn athletic club.
Key Features of the Car Barn Incident
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident | Partial building collapse |
| Date | Thursday afternoon |
| Response | Chattanooga Fire Department, multiple companies responded |
| Injuries | No injuries reported |
| Demolition Initiation | July by Drury Development |
| Future Plans | Eight-story Drury Plaza Hotel construction |
| Structure Age | Built in 1886 |
| Historical Significance | Listed on the National Register of Historic Places |
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Additional Resources
- Local 3 News: Chattanooga Fire Dept Focus
- News Channel 9: Chattanooga’s New Fire Chief
- WDEF: Luxury Cars Destroyed in Fire
- Times Free Press: Luxury Cars Destroyed
- Daily Dispatch: Luxury Cars in Transport Trailer Fire
- Wikipedia: Chattanooga
- Google Search: Chattanooga Fire News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Chattanooga
- Google News: Chattanooga Fire Incident
- Google Scholar: Chattanooga Fire Safety
Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER
The CHATTANOOGA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREChattanooga.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga Oktoberfest, and Moon River Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Chattanooga, plus leading businesses in manufacturing, insurance, and utilities that power the local economy such as Volkswagen Chattanooga, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and EPB. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
