Two rooms caught fire at a motel in East Ridge on Monday afternoon, but firefighters were able to quickly get the blaze extinguished.
At approximately 4:33 p.m. Monday, East Ridge Fire and Police units
responded to the fire at the Days Inn Motel, 6510 Ringgold Road.
The first engine company arrived in just four minutes to find heavy smoke
showing and a working fire in rooms 101 and 102. There was a large amount
of smoke that could be seen for blocks away.
Firefighters and police officers evacuated the surrounding rooms while a crew attacked the fire.
Chief Eddie Phillips said, "A major fire was averted when the fire was quickly brought under control. Crews searched both the first and second floors and attic for any fire
spread using thermal imaging cameras."
Firefighters responded from both East Ridge and Fort Oglethorpe under an
automatic mutual aid agreement between the two cities. Responding were four engine companies, two ladder (Quint) companies, three support/rescue companies and several command vehicles.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation by East Ridge fire and
arson investigators.
One occupant of the room, Danny Wayne Shirley of East 32nd St., Chattanooga, fled the scene before arrival of firefighters and
it was determined that there are outstanding warrants for his arrest out of Rossville, police said.