photo by Bruce Garner
A woman died in a fire at a townhome in East Brainerd on Friday afternoon.
At 3:41 p.m., Chattanooga firefighters were dispatched to a townhome fire on Lenny Lane. The first firefighters on the scene reported heavy smoke coming from the top of the roof. Lt. Larry O'Rear with Quint 21 said there was significant fire in the front of the home as they entered through the front door. Seeing the magnitude of the fire, a second alarm response was requested to bring in additional firefighters and equipment.
The firefighters did their best to get the fire under control quickly, but during the firefighting operation, the firefighters found a body in an upstairs bedroom. Battalion Chief Nate Middlebrooks described the victim as an adult female.
Fire investigators were called in to determine the cause and origin of the fire. The homicide division with the Chattanooga Police Department was also called in to assist with the investigation, which is standard protocol when a fatality is involved.
The body was transported to the Hamilton County Medical Examiner's Office, where the exact cause of death will be determined. If the cause of death is confirmed to be fire-related, it will be the first fire fatality of the year for Chattanooga.
photo by Bruce Garner