Nashville firefighter injured as garage roof collapses during Antioch house fire involving burning vehicle

What happened in Antioch

A Nashville firefighter was injured Thursday, March 5, 2026, after a garage roof partially collapsed while crews were fighting a house fire on Sunnywood Drive in the Antioch area. The Nashville Fire Department arrived at about 11 a.m. and found the home heavily involved, with fire conditions concentrated around the garage, based on early scene assessments.

The injured firefighter was taken to a hospital for treatment. Fire officials indicated the firefighter is expected to survive.

Fire conditions and operational impacts

Fire officials said the partial collapse altered how crews could operate on scene. With the structure compromised, interior firefighting was halted and crews shifted to an exterior attack, applying water from outside the building. That change typically lengthens incident timelines because it reduces access to hidden fire areas and complicates overhaul work, which is the process of opening up and removing debris to ensure the fire is fully out.

Officials also reported that a burning vehicle was located in the garage area and became buried under collapsed roofing material. Fire crews said they were awaiting specialized equipment to safely reach the vehicle and complete extinguishment.

A nearby resident reported hearing an explosion-like sound shortly before the collapse and described firefighters quickly moving to assist their injured colleague.

Residents, closures, and investigation

Fire officials said the homeowners were able to escape without injury. Sunnywood Drive was expected to face at least partial closures through the afternoon as crews remained on scene, both to continue suppression from outside and to manage hazards linked to the damaged garage area.

Initial information from the response indicated the fire likely originated in the garage, where the burning vehicle was found. The cause has not been determined, and the investigation remained ongoing Thursday.

Key confirmed details

• Date and time: Thursday, March 5, 2026; crews arrived around 11 a.m.

• Location: Sunnywood Drive in the Antioch area of Nashville.

• Injury: One firefighter hospitalized; expected to survive.

• Hazards: Partial garage roof collapse; burning vehicle buried under debris.

• Status: Cause under investigation; exterior-only firefighting operations due to collapse risk.

The incident remains under review as fire investigators work to determine what sparked the blaze and how the vehicle became involved in the fire’s progression.