Fire broke out at a local tax service on Saturday afternoon, but the records were saved, thanks to some quick work by Chattanooga firefighters.
The fire started in the ceiling around 3:30 p.m. at a branch office of the Liberty Tax Service, located at 1212 Dodds Ave. Firefighters with Engine 5, Ladder 5, Engine 9, Quint 1 and Quint 2 responded to the scene, along with Battalion Chiefs Winston Shields and Mack Moore.
Captain Richard Britt with Engine 5 said smoke was visible from the roof when the first firefighters arrived on the scene. The firefighters immediately made a quick interior attack, and managed to contain most of the fire damage to the lobby of the business. Captain Britt said the firefighters took special care to protect the computers and files with salvage covers.
Branch Manager Jennifer Wood was elated that the firefighters were able to save all of the computers and tax records. Ms. Wood said the records will be transferred to other Liberty Tax branches while repairs are made to her business.
Captain Britt said the cause of the fire appears to be accidental, most likely from an electrical malfunction. The dollar loss was estimated at around $30,000. No injuries were reported.