Fire caused considerable damage to a Chattanooga home Monday afternoon.
When Lonique Spence, 33, returned to her home at 928 East Avenue around 1 p.m., she didn't know that fire was destroying her home on the inside. But when she opened the front door, she was forced back by thick, black smoke.
Ms. Spence said she tried to go in "to find the fire and put it out," but the smoke was just too intense. Neighbors called 9-1-1 and the Chattanooga Fire Department responded with several fire companies.
Battalion Chief Mike Knox said a good portion of the house was engulfed in flames when the first firefighters arrived on the scene. "Based on eyewitness accounts and the extent of the fire damage, the fire had plenty of time to spread throughout the house before it was discovered by the homeowner," said Chief Knox.
The dollar loss was estimated at around $80,000. Ms. Spence said the house was insured, but most of her belongings were destroyed.
Her nine-year-old son and 16-year-old daughter were away at school at the time.
Volunteers with the American Red Cross were called in to assist the family. Senior Firefighter Henry McElvain with the Fire Investigation Division was called to the scene. For now, the cause of the fire is undetermined and under investigation.
To ensure the fire is completely out, the firefighters had to open up the walls in some places. Click to enlarge.