No one was home and no injuries were reported in connection with a fire that destroyed a large home in the Big Ridge community on Sunday morning.
The Chattanooga Fire Department received the alarm at 11:23 a.m. and responded to 1930 Bay Pointe Dr. with four fire companies.
Captain Jimmy Spurling with Quint 19 said flames had already broken through the roof when the first firefighters arrived on the scene. Due to the size of the house, measuring about 5,000 square feet, Captain Spurling called for an additional fire company. The firefighters made their way inside the house and conducted an initial search, but no one was home.
Captain Spurling said the firefighters did rescue several pet dogs that were found in the basement. The family was attending church services at the time of the fire.
After confirming that no one was inside and based on the intensity of the fire, the firefighters got out of the house and worked to contain the flames from the outside. It took the firefighters about 40 minutes to get the blaze under control.
Captain Lesley Morgan with the Fire Investigation Division said the cause of the fire appears to be accidental in nature, most likely from an electrical malfunction.
The loss was estimated at around $700,000 for the building and contents.