07-13-2013 Fire Leaves Family of 6 Homeless

The Chattanooga Fire Department received the alarm shortly after 2:00 p.m. today and responded to the scene with several fire companies.

Captain Joey Smith with Engine 5 said nothing was visible upon arriving on the scene, but found heavy smoke when they entered the house. Captain Smith said they found the seat of the fire in a bedroom closet. Unfortunately, the flames had spread into the attic, making it more difficult to get the fire out, particularly because there were multiple layers of ceiling that concealed the flames.

During the course of the fire, one firefighter was bitten by a dog, resulting in a small laceration on the leg. The firefighter will get follow-up medical treatment on Monday.

No one was home at the time of the fire, but two adults and four children lived there. Volunteers with the American Red Cross of Southeast Tennessee were called in to provide the family with temporary place to stay and other assistance.

Captain Smith said the dollar loss was estimated at $40,000. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Chattanooga police and Hamilton County EMS also provided assistance on the scene.