05-07-2013 Family of Five Displaced in Duplex Fire

The Chattanooga Fire Department received the alarm at 12:31 a.m. and responded to 4826 Pawnee Trail with six fire companies. Captain Michael Montieth with Quint 13 said one half of the duplex was fully engulfed in flames when the first firefighters arrived on the scene. Everyone had successfully escaped the structure without harm, thanks to working smoke alarms.

Captain Montieth said firefighters quickly took in handheld hoselines to make an aggressive attack on the fire inside the structure. The fire was quickly brought under control, but there was substantial damage to one side the duplex. The dollar loss was estimated at around $75,000.

Five people were displaced by the fire. Volunteers with the American Red Cross of Southeast Tennessee responded to the scene early this morning to provide assistance to the victims, which included a temporary place to stay. Captain Montieth said the residents on the other side of the duplex were in the process of moving out.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Chattanooga police, Hamilton County EMS and EPB all provided valuable assistance on the scene.

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