No one was home and no injuries were reported in connection with a house fire at 2731 Harrison Pike on Wednesday morning.
The Chattanooga Fire Department received the alarm at 9:26 a.m. and responded with several fire companies. Battalion Chief Ben Biggs said much of the house was engulfed in flames when the first firefighters arrived on the scene.
Chattanooga firefighters attacked the blaze from all sides and eventually got the fire under control, but the damage was extensive. Chief Biggs estimated the dollar loss at around $50,000 for the structure and contents. The resident of the house was reportedly away at the time. The fire was discovered by a passing motorist, who kicked the door in to see if anyone was inside.
Senior Firefighter Henry McElvain with the Fire Investigation Division said the fire appears to have started in a back bedroom. The cause of the fire remains undetermined and under investigation.
Also, Chattanooga firefighters were called to Ryan's Steakhouse at 6734 Lee Highway on Wednesday around 9:30 a.m. Battalion Chief Ben Biggs said the firefighters located a small grease fire in the exhaust vent above one of the grills. The firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, with no injuries reported.
Chief Biggs said there was minimal damage, but the restaurant was smoked up and some cleanup would be involved before the restaurant could open for business.