A family lost their home to fire on Friday afternoon.
At 12:30 p.m., a 911 call was made reporting a house fire at 14713 Pierce Road in the Birchwood area.
The Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Department responded and arrived reporting heavy smoke and fire coming from the roof and front of the home. The Highway 58 VFD immediately requested a mutual aid response for additional manpower and apparatus for water tanker shuttles to the scene. The Tri-Community VFD and Bradley County Fire Rescue responded. The East Ridge Fire Department responded to Highway 58's district to cover additional emergency calls.
Firefighters worked quickly to get water on the scene and attack the fire, but windy conditions continued to allow the fire to spread quickly. Firefighters eventually had to conduct a "defensive attack" to keep the fire from spreading to the terrain which was covered with dry hay.
The homeowners, the d'Ornano family, moved here from Virginia last week. They had lived in their new home for a week. The house sits on 170 acres owned by her brother, Matt Malone, who was working on his property when he noticed the house on fire. Mr. Malone reported he tried to put the fire out with fire extinguishers and a water hose but was unsuccessful.
No injuries were reported. Hamilton County EMS was on the scene for any potential injuries to the firefighters.
The cause of the fire is undetermined and will be under investigation by the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office. Damages are listed at over $100,000.
The d'Ornano family was insured and will be staying with family.