A house fire in Soddy-Daisy on Saturday appears to have accidentally started in a garbage can, fire investigator Jerry Workman said.
He said the 9-1-1 call came in at 07:33 a.m. to the Soddy-Daisy Fire Department on a house fire at 9653 Norman St.
The fire department reported heavy smoke from about a mile away for the scene. Once they arrived they reported that fire was coming out several windows of the residence.
The homeowner was not home at the time of fire. Firefighters had to force entry to the residence. Once they entered the house, the fire was found to be in the living room and the kitchen. It had burned through the ceiling and was spreading in the attic. The floor entering the kitchen had already burned through and firefighters had to watch the burnt floor for their safety.
It took firefighters about 45 minutes to an hour to bring the fire under control.
The owner, Wayne Wilson, came back home while the fire department was still on the scene fighting the fire.
Mr. Wilson bought the house in 1960 and is a barber in the Hixson area. The house was a total loss.
The Red Cross was called to help Mr. Wilson.
Fire investigator Workman said he does not believe that there was foul play.
Mr. Wilson did have insurance. Fire damage is estimated at $50,000.