Fire caused substantial damage to a Chattanooga home Wednesday morning.
The Chattanooga Fire Department received the alarm at 10:43 a.m. and responded to 1106 Arlington Ave. with several fire companies.
Captain Marvin Hudgins with Engine 4 said smoke was visible from the fire station as they headed for the fire. Once on the scene, the firefighters saw smoke coming from the front door and kitchen window. Captain Hudgins said it took the firefighters 15 to 20 minutes to get the blaze under control. The dollar loss was estimated at around $60,000.
Pauletta Hicks, 36, told firefighters that she turned the stove on and left the kitchen for a moment. When she returned, Ms. Hicks said the stove was engulfed in flames.
Ms. Hicks alerted her 17-year-old niece, grabbed a 3-year-old child in her care, and all safely got out the house. The residents said they did not have renters’ insurance.
Volunteers with the Red Cross were on the scene providing assistance to the victims.
The cause of the fire will be listed as accidental. Captain Hudgins said the fire was started by a pan of grease, which was left unattended on the stove.