The cause of Tuesday's fire at Rosemont Apartments is being ruled accidental.
Lt. Anthony Moore with the Fire Investigation Division said one of the residents decided to heat up a pan of grease on the stove to cook something, then left the kitchen and apparently lost track of time. He discovered his kitchen was on fire when he started smelling smoke.
All of the residents got out safely.
Lt. Moore said the dollar loss was estimated at $175,000 for the four unit building and its contents.
The Chattanooga Fire Department received the alarm at 4:58 p.m. and responded with six fire companies to the Rosemont Apartments at 2608 Glenwood Parkway. Battalion Chief Winston Shields said smoke and flames were visible on the outside as the first firefighters arrived on the scene.
Approximately eight to nine residents lived in the four apartment units in the two-story building. All got out safely. No injuries were reported. The firefighters were able to save part of the structure and some of the contents, but there was considerable fire damage. An estimate on the loss was not available.
Volunteers with the Chattanooga chapter of the American Red Cross were called in to provide recovery assistance to the four families, including a temporary place to stay.
Ann Born (center with white hat) and Frank Stobee (center with red hat), both volunteers with the local Red Cross, gather information from the fire victims. Ms. Born said the Red Cross would be assisting the victims with food, clothing and a temporary place to stay.