No injuries were reported after the Saturday night blaze sent fireworks into the air.
OOLTEWAH, Tenn. — A trailer carrying fireworks caught fire Saturday night on Interstate 75 near the Ooltewah exit, sending fireworks across the roadway and forcing authorities to close lanes while crews fought the blaze.
The fire turned a routine highway emergency into a dangerous scene for drivers in Hamilton County. Officials said the trailer was full of fireworks, and all of them became involved in the fire. Fire crews and law enforcement stopped traffic while responders worked to keep drivers away from exploding fireworks and smoke.
The fire happened on I-75 northbound just past the Ooltewah exit. Video from the scene showed fireworks shooting in several directions as traffic sat stopped nearby. The Chattanooga Fire Department said Chattanooga firefighters, Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department crews and law enforcement responded to the vehicle fire. Officials said the fireworks were “going off in different directions, endangering drivers.”
Authorities said no injuries were reported. The trailer was attached to a white pickup truck, which appeared to avoid the worst damage. Photos from the scene showed the burned trailer frame on the shoulder as firefighters sprayed water over the wreckage. Southbound lanes reopened sooner, while northbound traffic stayed blocked longer as crews checked hot spots and cleared debris.
Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department was the lead agency because the fire happened outside Chattanooga city limits. Chattanooga crews assisted through mutual aid. Catoosa County and Highway 58 fire crews also helped. Officials used the closure to move emergency vehicles and shuttle water to the fire scene.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation reported lane blockages during the response. Traffic began moving slowly through one reopened northbound lane late Saturday, and the wreckage was cleared overnight. Officials had not released a final cause of the fire by Tuesday.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol later said the truck carrying the fireworks was not properly labeled. Authorities had not said where the fireworks were being taken or whether citations or charges would follow.
Witness videos showed people watching from a nearby overpass as fireworks burst above the interstate. Some sparks shot low across the roadway, while others rose into the night sky. The scene drew wide attention online because it looked like an early Fourth of July show, but officials described it as a hazardous fire response.
The interstate has reopened, and no injuries have been reported. Investigators had not released a full report on the cause or any enforcement action as of Tuesday.
Author note: Last updated June 9, 2026.