Fire forced a Chattanooga family from their home Wednesday night.
Lashaun Ray told firefighters that her 17-year-old son was cooking some French fries in a pot of cooking oil on the stove. The oil reportedly got too hot, boiled over, and ignited on the stove.
Ms. Ray's boyfriend tried to use a garden hose to put the fire out, but was unsuccessful. Ms. Ray, her three teen-age children, and her boyfriend all escaped the house unharmed and called 911.
The Chattanooga Fire Department received the alarm at 10:09 p.m. and responded with four fire companies to 1416 Wheeler Ave. Captain Andy Carson with Engine 4 said heavy smoke was showing when his company first arrived on the scene.
Everyone living in the house was accounted for outside, so Captain Carson ordered an interior attack on the fire, which was located in the kitchen toward the rear of the house. The flames were getting into the attic as the firefighters made their way inside. Captain Carson said they got the fire under control in roughly 10 minutes. No injuries were reported. Firefighters with Engine 5, Engine 15 and Ladder 5 also assisted with the operation.
The cause of the fire was listed as accidental.
Captain Carson said Ms. Ray's house was actually owned by her parents, abut it was not insured. The loss was estimated at around $10,000. Volunteers with the American Red Cross were called in to provide assistance to the family. Chattanooga police and Hamilton County EMS also provided assistance on the scene.