Two Alarm Fire Destroys Local Landmark

Chattanooga firefighters battled a 2-alarm blaze at Hy's Car Wash at 2363 Rossville Boulevard late Wednesday night. An automatic alarm notified 911 Communications at 11:02 followed by numerous calls from passing motorists, according to Fire Department Spokesman Bruce Garner.

Captain Tally Glover, the incident commander, said the first firefighters to arrive attempted an interior attack, but he ordered them out of the building when the fire intensified.

Not long after the firefighters withdrew, one of the exterior walls partially collapsed. Captain Glover called for a second alarm response, bringing in a total of 12 fire companies to the scene. A building adjacent to the car wash, which was reportedly being used only for storage, was gutted by the fire. The fire was brought under control several hours later.

Garner says no one was in the car wash at the time of the fire. The manager said he closed the business for the day at 5:30 p.m.

As of 1:30 p.m. Thursday, fire investigators were still combing through the debris at the car wash. Captain James Whitmire with the Fire Investigation Division said the fire appears to have started in a building adjacent to the car wash. Captain Whitmire said the building is owned by George Morgan and was known to be used as shelter by vagrants. The physical evidence shows the fire starting in that building, and then spread to the car wash. No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire remains undetermined and under investigation. Captain Whitmire said samples have been taken and he would like to collect some additional witness information. Anyone who might have useful information to offer can call Captain Whitmire at 643-5600. The dollar loss was estimated at around $850,000.

Hy's Car Wash is owned by Pat Patrick and employs 15 people.