Chattanooga firefighters responded to a house fire at 4700 Florida Ave. at 10:03 a.m. on Tuesday.
Battalion Chief Chris Willmore said the fire was located in a front bedroom. Chief Willmore said the firefighters extinguished the fire in the bedroom quickly, but the flames had already spread into the attic, causing more damage before the fire could be completely put out.
All three adults who lived in the house got out safely.
The cause has been ruled accidental. One of the residents who lived in the house told the fire investigator that he was looking for his wallet, which had fallen behind a dresser. The man said he used a cigarette lighter for light and somehow accidentally caught some curtains on fire. The man said he left the room temporarily and did not know he started the fire until he returned.
After examining the burn patterns in the structure, the fire investigator said he has no reason to believe the fire was not started accidentally. The loss was estimated at $40,000.
Volunteers with the American Red Cross arrived later to help the family with a temporary place to stay and other assistance.