A car accident on Lee Highway caused a gold van to leave the road, crash into an SUV in a hotel parking lot and then into two hotel rooms, structurally damaging the building.
The incident happened just after 3 p.m. Wednesday at the In Town Suites on Lee Highway.
Both hotel rooms were empty at the time of the incident. A total of 12 surrounding rooms were evacuated as a precaution.
The firefighters’ main concern was securing the building in an effort to prevent any further damage.
At 5:45 p.m. two vehicles had been removed.
CFD crews were stabilizing the exterior structure of the rooms, as they did on the interior to make things as safe as possible.
Structural engineers from the city will come out Thursday to examine the building.
12 rooms will remained closed for now as a precaution.
Three people inside the vehicles involved in the car accident were taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
One cat was safely retrieved from one of the rooms.
CARTA is providing a bus to keep impacted residents cool as crews work the scene.
The Red Cross has been notified, along with building inspectors.
Chattanooga/Hamilton County Rescue is providing cold drinks and food for first responders.