East Ridge Fire and Police units battled a house fire Friday night.
Units were dispatched to 723 Marilyn Circle At approximately 7:40 p.m.
Firefighters arrived in just three minutes to find a one-story house fully involved with fire coming through the roof and several windows. The fire was also in danger of spreading to houses on both sides of the burning structure.
Firefighters were unable to make entry because every room in the house was piled high with storage and combustible furnishings and both the front and rear doors were blocked by the storage.
While determining that all occupants were out of the house and safe, firefighters began a defensive fire attack to protect the exposures and extinguish the fire. The fire was contained using four hand-held hose lines and an elevated stream from the department’s aerial ladder truck.
The occupant of the home was identified as Johnnie Ruth Hewitt. Since Ms. Hewitt had no other family in the local area, the Red Cross was notified and assisted her with temporary clothing and housing.
Due to the heavy fire load of storage in the house, firefighters returned to the residence several times over the weekend to prevent any rekindles.
East Ridge Fire and Building Officials were to meet Monday to determine procedures for demolishing the house and removing the burned storage from the neighborhood.
Responding to the incident were East Ridge Quint 1, Engine 1, Squad 2, Engine 2, Support 1, Rescue 1, Ft. Oglethorpe Engine 10, and Memorial EMS Medic 5.