photo by Bruce Garner
Around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Chattanooga firefighters were dispatched to a house fire at 1301 E. 17th Street.
The first firefighters on the scene reported smoke was showing from the one-story house. Battalion Chief Chris Willmore said the firefighters attacked the fire quickly, getting the fire under control in less than 20 minutes. No injuries were reported.
A woman who lives there told firefighters that she was using her hair dryer and started smelling smoke.
As she tried to locate the source of the smoke, she said it appeared to be coming from under the floor and was getting worse. She got her children out and her pet dog, and called 911. A pet cat is unaccounted for.
During the firefighting operation, the firefighters had to cut holes in the roof to ventilate the structure. This allows heat and smoke to escape, making it easier for the firefighters to find the fire and extinguish it. After the fire was extinguished, the firefighters covered the roof with tarps to protect the house from the weather. The firefighters also retrieved food from the kitchen to give to the family.
The fire displaces a mother and five children. Volunteers with the American Red Cross were called in to provide assistance to the family, which includes a temporary place to stay.
The cause of the fire is being ruled accidental, most likely from an electrical malfunction. Chief Willmore estimated the loss at roughly $20,000.
Chattanooga Police, EPB and Hamilton County EMS also provided assistance on the scene.
photo by Battalion Chief Chris Willmore