01-22-15 House Fire in Ooltewah Ruled Accidental

Tri-Com sent four engines and one ladder truck and arrived on the scene first. Chattanooga firefighters with Quint 7 and Squad 7 arrived a short time later.

Tri-Com Battalion Chief Steve Wright said the house was about 25% involved in flames when his firefighters arrived on the scene, but shortly after that, the front two rooms "flashed over" and the fire spread rapidly. Chief Wright said firefighters with Tri-Com and Chattanooga worked together and got the blaze under control in roughly 15 minutes. No injuries were reported. Chief Wright estimated the dollar loss at $75,000 for the building and its contents.

Captain Andrew Waters with the Fire Investigation Division is still gathering details on the incident, but he has already ruled the cause of the fire as accidental, from reckless burning. Captain Waters said a woman who lived there was burning some clothes in a garbage can on the front porch. The fire quickly grew out of control and spread to the rest of the house. The investigation will continue.

Chattanooga police, Hamilton County EMS and EPB also provided assistance on the scene.