Chattanooga firefighters responded to house fire Wednesday afternoon, and the cause appears to be accidental. The Chattanooga Fire Department received the alarm at 4:07 p.m. and responded to 733 Talley Road with several fire companies.

Battalion Chief Mike Knox said smoke was showing from a second-floor bedroom when firefighters arrived on the scene. Chief Knox said the firefighters were able to contain the fire damage to the one bedroom, but there is smoke and water damage to other parts of the house. The dollar loss was estimated at around $8,500. Chief Knox said the residents were not home at the time of the fire, but they were in the process of moving in today.

As for the cause, Chief Knox said mattresses and other combustible materials were placed up against a wall heater in the bedroom. When the afternoon’s cool temperatures activated the heater, the mattress and other materials ignited. Volunteers with the American Red Cross have been contacted to provide assistance to the victims.

In light of this incident, and the colder weather that is arriving today, the Chattanooga Fire Department offers the following tips related to heaters and fire safety:

Heating Safety:

Keep all combustibles (newspapers, cloth, furniture) at least three feet away from stoves, fireplaces, portable heaters and space heaters.

Keep portable heaters at least three feet away from walls

Children and pets should be supervised at all times when space heaters are in use.

Resist the temptation to place clothes or other materials on or near space heaters to “dry them out.” You may get distracted and forget about them.

Use kerosene heaters with care, especially when refueling them. Always use the proper grade of kerosene, never gasoline and other fuels. Refuel them in a well-ventilated area – preferably outside – and only when the heater is completely cool.

If you have a coal or wood-burning stove or a gas-burning cabinet heater, or any other built-in space heater, have it inspected by a qualified commercial repair company.

Keep wood-burning stoves clean and repaired as often as necessary.

Have your chimney inspected by a professional at the start of the heating season and cleaned if necessary.

Have your central-heating system inspected and cleaned once a year and whenever you suspect a problem.

Check the flues of your gas water heater or furnace for corrosion and obstructions that could present fire hazards.

Misused extension cords are a fire hazard. Plug only one appliance into an extension cord. Don’t run extension cords across doorways or under carpets or pinch them under or behind furniture.

Heating equipment is the third leading cause of home fires.