Courtney Godwin, 25, Was Victim In Monday Night Fire In Hixson

  • Monday, November 24, 2014

Chattanooga firefighters battled a fully-involved structure fire in Hixson Monday night, and the incident involved at least one fatality. 

Dr. Steve Cogswell with the Hamilton County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as Courtney D. Godwin, 25. Dr. Cogswell said Ms. Godwin died from smoke inhalation. 

The first call to 911 Communications was received at 8:16 p.m., with the report of a fully-involved structure fire with entrapment at 1332 Highland Way.

Captain Brent Arnold with Quint 16 said the house was fully engulfed in flames when the first firefighters arrived. Firefighters initially tried to enter the structure to look for victims, but Captain Arnold said the heat and flames were so intense that it was too dangerous for the firefighters to go in. Instead, the firefighters were ordered to pull back and fight the fire defensively, keeping the fire from spreading to other houses nearby.

Captain Carlos Hampton, the incident commander, said the firefighters worked as quickly as they could to get the fire under control. When the bulk of the fire was extinguished, firefighters found a Ms. Godwin's body in a back bedroom. Firefighters were conducting a search of the one-story structure to look for any other victims.

Haley Neal, 29, told Lt. Henry McElvain with the Fire Investigation Division that she barely escaped through a bedroom window. She was transported by Hamilton County EMS to Erlanger Medical Center, where she was treated and released for smoke inhalation from Erlanger overnight. 

The cause of the fire is under investigation. The Major Crimes Division of the Chattanooga Police Department will also be involved in the investigation, which is standard protocol when a fatality or serious injury is involved.

Click here to see video by Bruce Garner.

Breaking News
Latest Hamilton County Arrest Report
  • 3/19/2024

Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report: AWOLOWO, APRIL 105 EUCLID STREET ATHENS, 373030000 Age at Arrest: 36 years old Arresting Agency: HC Sheriff THEFT OVER $1000 BARNETT, ... more

Senator Colton Moore Challenger Hits "An Incumbent Bent On Self-Promotion Instead Of Humble Leadership"
  • 3/18/2024

Angela Pence, a Chickamauga resident who is making a race against 53rd District Senator Colton Moore, said she aims to bring principled, effective leadership "to a district that has gone unheard ... more

Wamp Pushing For Tighter Local Lobbying Rules, Tax Abatement Policies; Bigger Share Of Sales Tax
  • 3/18/2024

County Mayor Weston Wamp spoke to the Pachyderm Club on Monday about the significance of a state basketball title, the need for local lobbying regulations and tightening up on tax abatement policies. ... more