Five Collegedale families will be finding a temporary place to stay Friday evening due to a fire destroying four apartments.
At 4 p.m., a 911 call was made reporting a fire in one of units at 10270 Lomacita Lane. The Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department responded and arrived, reporting three apartment units showing smoke and fire. Due to the extreme heat and humidity, Tri-Community fire officials requested a mutual response for additional manpower from the following agencies: Highway 58 VFD, East Ridge Fire Department, Catoosa County Fire Department, Bradley County Fire Rescue and Chattanooga Hamilton County Rescue for rehab.
While fire agencies were responding to the scene, two separate motor vehicle accidents occurred in the Tri-Community district. Bradley County Fire Rescue and Catoosa County Fire Department were diverted to the accidents.
Fire officials reported the building, which houses all five apartments, was owned by Southern University. Four out of the fire units were destroyed by fire.
No injuries were reported, but Hamilton County EMS was on the scene for any potential injuries to the firefighters.
Damages are unknown at this time, but fire officials reported three quarters of the building is a loss.
The Tri-Community VFD Fire Marshalls Office confirmed the fire started in the kitchen in the center bottom floor apartment from unattended cooking on the stove.
Southern University will be assisting the five families with temporary housing.