02-12-15 Kids Start Campfire in Bedroom

Unfortunately, they were in their bedroom at the time.

The Chattanooga Fire Department received the alarm around 4:30 p.m. today and responded to 2451 5th Avenue with four fire companies. Battalion Chief Chris Willmore said the children's' mother initially tried to put the fire out herself, but was unsuccessful. She then got her kids out of the apartment and called 911. Chattanooga police arrived first and worked to evacuate the rest of the two-story apartment building.

Chief Willmore said everyone was safely out of the apartment when the first firefighters arrived on the scene. The firefighters located the fire in a bedroom, mostly involving a mattress. They quickly extinguished the fire, containing the blaze to the bedroom.

Chief Willmore said the children did not start the fire with malicious intent and will not be charged. Volunteers with the American Red Cross of Southeast Tennessee were called in to provide assistance to the mother and her two children. Hamilton County EMS also provided valuable assistance on the scene.