Firefighters battled a midnight house fire early Saturday morning that was on the Chattanooga/East Ridge line.

Police said 911 callers reported a house fire at 1735 Clayton Ave. Due to the fact that Clayton Avenue is right on the city line, the East Ridge Fire Department and the city of Chattanooga Fire Department were both dispatched.

Within minutes, East Ridge Battalion 1 was on the scene. The unit immediately made a primary report of heavy involvement with multiple exposures and flames through the roof. Battalion 1 reported the fire was inside the city of Chattanooga, but requested the unit's first due engine, Squad 1, to bring a supply line from a nearby hydrant.

Squad 1 was on the scene within seconds, bringing a supply hose from the hydrant. East Ridge firefighters quickly pulled an inch and 3/4 hose line and started a primary attack on the fire. Additional East Ridge Fire units arrived in short order and firefighters put a second and third inch and 3/4 hose line in service. One of the hose lines was used to protect a house on the "D" side of the structure.

City Of Chattanooga Engine 9 arrived on the scene within minutes and firefighters quickly pulled an inch and 3/4 hose line from their engine. Engine 9 crew joined in the fire effort making an additional interior attack. Several additional city of Chattanooga Fire Companies arrived on the scene in short order. Crews quickly engaged in a joint effort with East Ridge Firefighters battling the fire.

A grandmother and two grandchildren were believed to have been asleep in the house when the fire broke out. Luckily they were able to escape without injury.

Two daughters arrived on the scene shortly after the fire department. Unfortunately, the family pet, a puppy, perished in the fire.

The American Red Cross was called to the scene to assist the family.

It took over 45 minutes to bring the fire under control. The rear of the house, basement, and attic area had sustained extremely heavy fire damage. Although the rest of the house sustained heavy smoke and water damage, firefighters were able to keep some of the personal belongings from being destroyed.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Hamilton County Rescue, city of Chattanooga Police and the East Ridge Police assisted at the scene.