Chattanooga firefighters responded to a house fire Monday afternoon at 2537 Tunnel Boulevard.
Battalion Chief Ben Biggs said the resident, Ms. Shropshire, heard a smoke alarm activate in the upstairs portion of her house. When she went to investigate, she saw flames in the living room. She grabbed her cat and left the house, calling 911 at a neighbor's house.
The firefighters got the blaze under control quickly, but the fire caused substantial damage. Chief Biggs estimated the loss at $40,000. Volunteers with the American Red Cross were called in to provide assistance to Ms. Shropshire and her husband, who was away at the time of the fire.
Fire Investigator Andrew Waters said the cause of the fire appeared to be accidental, most likely from a candle.