Three families were displaced when a fire ripped through their apartment building around 5:30 Sunday.
Residents at the Bluff View Apartments said the power went out and they heard a popping noise in the common wall of the two lower apartments. All the residents exited the structure without incident and called 911.
Chattanooga firefighters responded quickly to the scene and knocked down the majority of the fire, but had to do an extensive search throughout the structure due to the fire getting into the walls and traveling to the attic area.
Captain Jeffery Kinser said the fire was possibly caused by an electrical malfunction in the laundry area.
Captain Kinser estimated damages at $150,000.
The Red Cross was called to assist the families.