A family in the East Brainerd area lost everything to a house fire on Tuesday morning.
At 11:15 a.m., a 911 call was made by the homeowner reporting a house fire at 8855 East Brainerd Road.
The Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department responded and arrived on the scene reporting a fully-involved house fire.
After the firefighters laid 1,600 feet of hoseline, they went to a defensive attack. Due to the significant amount of fire, the Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department requested mutual aid for additional manpower. The East Ridge Fire Department and the Catoosa Fire Department responded to the scene. The Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Department was on stand-by.
No injuries were reported. Hamilton County EMS was on the scene for potential injuries.
The homeowner, Lester Sandidge, said he had been gone for 10 minutes to run an errand and came back to find his house on fire. He did have a fire active in his fireplace while he was gone.
The house and shed are a total loss. Mr. Sandidge also lost seven cars in the fire. Estimated damages are $275,000.
The cause of the fire is undetermined, but fire officials report the fire started around the fireplace area. Mr. Sandidge was insured and will stay with family members.
Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department was assisted by the East Ridge Fire Department, the Catoosa County Fire Department, the Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Department, Hamilton County EMS, the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office and the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Rescue Squad.