Fire destroyed a house in Hixson early Sunday morning. The Chattanooga Fire Department received the alarm at 4:22 and responded to 4420 Norcross Road with several fire companies.
Battalion Chief Mack Moore said the house was engulfed in flames when the first firefighters arrived on the scene. Chief Moore said high winds from a storm that was passing through at the time helped fan the flames.
It took the firefighters roughly 40 minutes to get the blaze under control. Chief Moore said the house was considered a total loss, with damages estimated at around $120,000.
The occupants of the house got out safely, and managed to save some pets, but other pets reportedly perished in the fire.
Chief Moore said the cause of the fire appears to be related to a spotlight on the back deck. Chief Moore said it will be difficult to determine exactly what happened, but he believes wind-driven rain may have shorted out the light, or dogs staying on the deck might have knocked the light over. Either way, the cause of the fire appears to be accidental, said officials.
Volunteers with the American Red Cross were called in to assist the family with recovery efforts.