Eight families (17 people) have been displaced by a Collegedale apartment fire on Wednesday morning.

Authorities said the Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department saved the apartment complex from burning to the ground and confined the fire to one unit.

At 10:30 a.m., a 911 call came in reporting a fire at the Spring Green apartment complex, unit 405, at 5075 Ooltewah-Ringgold Road.

Firefighters arrived on the scene within minutes reporting heavy smoke and fire coming from the front apartment window. Once firefighters were clear that everyone was out of the apartment unit, they conducted a quick interior attack on the fire in apartment 405.

Chief Dennis Thomason said, "The firefighters did an outstanding job putting the fire out. They contained the fire to unit 405 and kept the fire from burning into the attic or the firewall."

According to the fire marshal, Chief Amory Planchard, the fire will be ruled undetermined and accidental.

The fire started in the living room area.

Damages are estimated at $100,000.

Red Cross officials said, "Within 30 minutes of being notified by the Fire Department that residents of an eight unit apartment building needed assistance due to a fire, Red Cross volunteers were on the scene helping those affected. Seven Red Cross staffers and volunteers interviewed eight families and provided assistance to a total of 17 people."

According to John Hitchens, director of emergency services for the Greater Chattanooga Area American Red Cross, “When we arrived the residents were scattered about seeking shelter from the rain. We organized them and immediately began the interview process in order to provide emergency assistance for food, clothing, and, if needed, shelter.”

So far this month the Chattanooga area Red Cross chapter has responded to more than 17 fires, several of which were in multi-unit dwellings.

Mr. Hitchens said, “While the Red Cross is responding to the needs of the people of Haiti we are also tasked with providing help to those here in our own community who are suffering from the loss of their home and/or possessions. Balancing the need for funds for local, national and international disaster relief can be a challenge; nevertheless we will be there when needed. People wanting to help can visit our website at chattanoogaredcross.org/donate for local donations and redcross.org for Haiti relief.”