A fire of suspicious origin damaged a vacant house in East Lake on Thursday morning.
The Chattanooga Fire Department received the alarm at 6:08 a.m. and responded to 3111 14th Ave. with several fire companies.
The fire appears to have started toward the front of the house and caused substantial damage inside before firefighters were able to extinguish the flames. No injuries were reported.
The house has been vacant and unsecured for some time, and that's a problem for several reasons, according to Captain James Whitmire with the Fire Investigation Division. "These abandoned houses are left open to vagrants and other trespassers, and when they're set on fire, our firefighters must put themselves in harms way to get the fire out," said Capt. Whitmire. He added that these houses also present a danger to the neighborhood. "They're a danger to neighborhood children, and obviously, when a fire occurs, they're a hazard to neighboring houses."
Firefighters say the radiant heat from the fire caused about $5,000 damage to the siding on the house next door.
Captain Whitmire said the fire appears to have been intentionally set. The investigation will continue.