No injuries were reported in connection with a fire at Hickory Villa Apartments early Wednesday morning.
The Chattanooga Fire Department received the alarm at 3:03 a.m. and responded with six fire companies to 1521 Hickory Valley Road.
Battalion Chief Winston Shields said they were initially told that several residents were trapped inside their apartments by the smoke, but that turned out not to be the case. Chattanooga firefighters, assisted by Chattanooga police officers, went door-to-door to evacuate all residents in the two-story, 24-unit building.
Chief Shields said the fire started in a second story hallway, but the firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze before it could get inside any apartments. The dollar loss was estimated at around $7,500.
The fire appears to have been intentionally set. Captain Craig Haney with the Fire Investigation Division said some clothing and other personal items had been placed in the hallway and set on fire. The investigation will continue.