Firefighters wrapping up operations after putting the fire out at 1044 Flynn Street
photo by Bruce Garner
No one was home and no injuries were reported in connection with a house fire around 11 a.m. on Thursday.
The Chattanooga Fire Department responded to 1044 Flynn Street with six fire companies. Battalion Chief Lesley Morgan said heavy smoke was visible coming from the rear of the house when the first firefighters arrived on the scene. As additional fire companies arrived, Chief Morgan said that fire broke through the roof, threatening to spread to an adjacent house, located just two feet away.
The firefighters had to force their way in through the front door to get to the fire. Using hand-held hoselines, they brought the fire under control fairly quickly. Captain Scott McCullough with Quint 2 said the firefighters contained the fire damage to three rooms. The rest of the house had substantial smoke and water damage. The loss was estimated at $60,000.
Fire Chief Chris Adams, who responded to this fire, said the loss could have been a lot worse. "The house to the right is just about 18 inches from the house that was on fire," said Chief Adams. "If the firefighters had not aggressively brought that fire under control, we could have lost two or even three homes."
The cause of the fire has been ruled accidental. The lead fire investigator on the incident said the fire started in or around the dishwasher.
Two UTC coeds had just moved into the rental house a few weeks ago. Chief Morgan said they will be staying elsewhere Thursday night. Chattanooga police and Hamilton County EMS also provided assistance on the scene.
The fire was located toward the rear of the house on the left. The house on the right is located less than two feet away.
photo by Bruce Garner