No injuries were reported in connection with a house fire Tuesday morning in the Citico neighborhood.
LaTonya Lanier told firefighters that she was cooking some food in the oven and left the kitchen for just three minutes. When she returned, she said the entire kitchen was on fire. Four adults and one child were reportedly in the small, one-story house when the fire was discovered. All got out safely.
The Chattanooga Fire Department received the alarm at 11:56 a.m. and responded to 2122 Walker Avenue with several fire companies. Captain Eddy Williams with Ladder 5 said the rear portion of the house was engulfed in flames. While some firefighters made an interior attack on the fire, other firefighters got on the roof to cut a ventilation hole, which allows superheated air to escape and improves conditions for the firefighters still inside.
The cause of the fire is being listed as undetermined and under investigation. The loss was estimated at around $25,000. Volunteers with the American Red Cross were called in to provide assistance to Ms. Lanier and her three children, two of which were in school at the time.
The Red Cross representatives said they would most likely be assisting the family with food, clothing and a temporary stay in a local motel.