Quick work by Chattanooga firefighters saved a Hixson business center from fire Friday morning.
Employees arriving for work at the Ashland Terrace Professional Center at 739 Ashland Terrace smelled something burning and noticed the windows in Suite 105 were clouding up with black smoke. They called 911 at 7:39 a.m. and six Chattanooga fire companies responded.
Upon arrival, the firefighters could see smoke billowing out the front door of Suite 105. Captain Rick Phillips with Quint 16 said the intense heat from the fire had already blown the glass out of the door and that's where the firefighters made their entry.
Captain Phillips said the firefighters got the fire out in roughly 15 minutes and managed to contain the fire damage to the one suite. There was some smoke damage to adjacent suites on both sides and on the floor above. No injuries were reported.
Suite 105 was being used by His Holy Word, a Christian bookstore.
Lieutenant Henry McElvain with the Fire Investigation Division said the cause of the fire appears to be accidental in nature, though what exactly sparked the blaze remains under investigation. Lt. McElvain said the loss was estimated at around $35,000, mostly for the contents. The building itself is made of concrete block, so most of the structural damage was limited to the front door.
Fire Investigator Captain Lesley Morgan is assisting with the investigation. Chattanooga Police and Hamilton County EMS also provided assistance on the scene.