No injuries were reported in connection with a vacant house fire in the Rivermont community early Friday morning.
The Chattanooga Fire Department received the alarm at 5:35 a.m. and responded to 3464 Van Buren St. with several fire companies. Captain Don Bowman said smoke and fire were visible as firefighters arrived on the scene.
The firefighters extinguished the fire fairly quickly, with the loss estimated at around $25,000. No injuries were reported.
Senior Firefighter Henry McElvain with the Fire Investigation Division said the house has been vacant since a fire occurred at that location in 2004. There was no power to the building, and the fire appears to have started on the outside of the house. Investigator McElvain said arson is suspected, and the investigation will continue.