No injuries were reported in connection with a house fire on Sunday afternoon in the Brainerd community.
The Chattanooga Fire Department received the alarm at 12:23 p.m. and responded to 206 Shawnee Trail with four fire companies.
Chris Plunkett said he started smelling smoke and when he went to investigate, he discovered a fire in the utility room. Mr. Plunkett said he tried to put the fire out himself with a portable fire extinguisher, but the fire was too big. Mr. Plunkett closed the door to the utility room, got out of the house and called 911.
No injuries were reported.
Chattanooga firefighters arrived moments later and quickly attacked the fire in the utility room. Battalion Chief Mike Knox said the firefighters were able to contain most of the fire damage to the utility room, in part because Mr. Plunkett had the presence of mind to close that door. The rest of the house sustained some smoke and water damage, with the total dollar loss estimated at around $10,000.
Chief Knox said the cause of the fire will be listed as accidental, adding that the fire appears to have originated around the gas water heater.