Early morning fire at Orchard Knob Avenue
photo by Battalion Chief Chris Warren
A house fire early Thursday morning has displaced five people, but they are all alive, thanks to a working smoke alarm. The Chattanooga Fire Department received the alarm at 1:30 a.m. and responded to the 800 block of N. Orchard Knob Avenue with four fire companies.
Captain David Brooks with Engine 4 said flames were visible coming from a bedroom window. Residents on the scene told the firefighters that someone might still be inside the house. Battalion Chief Chris Warren said the firefighters searched through the house twice and did not find anyone inside. However, one of the occupants was found a short time later who appeared to be showing symptoms of smoke inhalation. The victim was transported by Hamilton County EMS to Erlanger Medical Center, where he was treated and released.
The firefighters managed to contain the fire to the room where it started. However, there was also some smoke and water damage to adjacent rooms. Fortunately, the elderly resident who normally sleeps in the room were the fire started was away for the night.
Captain Brooks estimated the loss at $25,000. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The residents of the house told Chief Warren that a smoke alarm woke them up. When they got up to investigate, they discovered the fire in the bedroom and all got out of the house safely.
Volunteers with the American Red Cross of Southeast Tennessee were called in to provide assistance to the five adults who lived in the house.