photo by Amy Maxwell
A Hidden Harbor family lost their house to fire on Sunday afternoon.
At 2 p.m., a 911 call was made reporting a house fire at 6552 Lake Meadows Dr. The Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department responded and arrived on the scene reporting the back of the house and the attic was fully involved with fire.
Due to the size of the house, heat and humidity, the Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department requested a mutual aid response for additional manpower. The Red Bank Fire Department, the Soddy Daisy Fire Department and Mutual Aid Chief Mike Williams responded to the scene.
Dallas Bay Fire Chief Markus Fritts reported when the first unit arrived on the scene and confirmed no one was in the house, firefighters conducted an interior and exterior attack to get the fire under control.
The homeowners, Wendell and Kathy Smith, were at home cooking hamburgers on their gas grill. Mr. Smith said when he finished cooking, he forgot to turn off the gas grill. Moments later, Kathy Smith heard a popping noise coming from the porch area and found the gas grill fully involved with fire. They attempted to put out the fire using a fire extinguisher and a water hose. Unfortunately, it was unsuccessful and the fire spread quickly throughout the back of the house and the attic area.
The Smiths and their dog escaped the house with no injuries. Hamilton County EMS was on the scene as well for any potential injuries to the firefighters. Chief Fritts reported the cause of the fire is unattended cooking. Damages are listed at $110,000.
The Smiths are insured and will be staying with family and friends.
The Smiths' neighbors also received heat damage to the side of their home. Fire officials report damages at $10,000.
photo by Amy Maxwell