East Ridge firefighters were called to a reported apartment fire at 1412 Mana Lane at the Mana Lane Apartments early Friday morning.
Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke coming from the doors and roof of apartment number four. They quickly began an interior attack and within minutes confined the fire to the one apartment in the number eight unit building. While crews were attacking the fire, other crews began a primary search to locate any victims.
There were a few tense minutes as firefighters searched the apartment next door amid reports that someone may be still inside, but the apartment turned out to be vacant. Firefighters used a thermal imaging camera to make sure fire had not extended to other apartments or the attic of the building.
The occupant of apartment four, Samuel Taylor, told fire investigators that he woke up to smell smoke and found the fire in his kitchen. Mr. Taylor quickly went door to door alerting his neighbors.
Firefighters found several smoke detectors that failed to operate in the building because the batteries had been removed. Citizens are urged to check their smoke detectors and batteries and maintain them in good working order at all times.
Fire damage was confined to apartment four while apartments three and five sustained some smoke and water damage. Damage was estimated at only $20,000 and the building was valued at approximately $500,000.
Responding to the fire were East Ridge Engine 1, Engine 2, Squad 1, Ladder 3, Support and Rescue 1 and 2, and Fort Oglethorpe Engine 10.