No injuries were reported in connection with an early morning house fire in East Lake.
Battalion Chief Mike Knox said at least one of the residents was awake when the fire was discovered. The resident smelled smoke and discovered a bed in a back bedroom was on fire.
Chief Knox said the family initially tried to put the fire out themselves. When that failed, they reportedly dragged the burning mattress out of the house. They apparently thought the fire was out, but they soon discovered that the bedroom was on fire again and the flames had spread into the attic. This time, they called 911.
The Chattanooga Fire Department received the alarm at 1:21 a.m. and responded to 1605 E. 49th St. with four fire companies. Chief Knox said the firefighters quickly attacked the blaze inside the house and managed to contain most of the fire damage to the rear of the house. The loss was estimated at around $40,000.
Seven people lived in the house, including four adults and three children. Volunteers with the American Red Cross are providing assistance to the family.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.