Lightning from a late afternoon storm on Wednesday knocked down some tree limbs and power lines, and sparked a house fire. The Chattanooga Fire Department received the alarm at 5:10 p.m. and responded with four fire companies to 2009 Cleveland Avenue.
Cpt. Andy Carson with Engine 4 said smoke was visible from the rear of the house when his company arrived on the scene. As the firefighters pulled hand-held hoselines and approached the house, their way was blocked by a 47,000-volt power line that was knocked down by a tree limb a few houses away. Cpt. Carson said an emergency call was made to EPB crews, who were already out responding to reports of storm damage.
Once EPB crews resolved the problem with the power line, Chattanooga firefighters from Engine 4, Ladder 5 and Quint 2 quickly attacked the fire and got it out in roughly 15 minutes. Cpt. Carson said the firefighters also saved some pet birds in the process. No injuries were reported, and the loss was estimated at around $6,000.
The cause of the fire was listed as accidental, most likely from a lightning strike.