A home in the Ooltewah area was destroyed by fire early Wednesday morning. Three people were taken to the hospital, and one was reported missing. The body of a nine-year-old boy was later recovered from the fire scene.
Family members said the victim was Jamie Dickerson, a student at Wolftever Elementary School.
The parents, both of whom are deaf, were hospitalized with smoke inhalation.
At 5:45 a.m., a neighbor, Mark Hamilton, called 911 reporting a house fire at 4012 Shady Oak Dr.
The Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department responded and arrived on the scene reporting a fully-involved house fire. According to fire officials, firefighters attempted to conduct an interior attack but were unsuccessful due to the instability of the home. Firefighters moved to a defensive attack to contain the fire to the home.
Hamilton County EMS was on the scene and transported the parents and another child to Erlanger Hospital for further observation.
The house is a total loss. Damages are undetermined at this time.
The cause of the fire is undetermined and will be under investigation by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.
The body of the young victim was transported to the Medical Examiner's Office for determination of the cause of death.
The American Red Cross was providing assistance to the family.