Chattanooga firefighters rushed to the scene of a house fire at 2719 E. Main St. Saturday night shortly after 9.
Fortunately, the three children who lived in the house, ages 15, 7 and 2, were already safe outside.
Captain Steve Swanson with Ladder 5 said neighbors were the first to notice black smoke coming from the attic of the house, so they alerted the children inside and called 9-1-1. The children were apparently unaware that their house was on fire.
Their mother was not home at the time. No injuries were reported.
Captain Swanson said the fire was located in the floor of an upstairs bedroom, and in the attic.
Firefighters used axes and chain saws to gain access to the fire and put it out. The loss was estimated at around $15,000.
The cause of the fire was listed as accidental, most likely from an electrical malfunction.
The Red Cross responded to the scene to assist the family finding shelter for the night.