12-18-15 House Fire Leaves Six Homeless

The Chattanooga Fire Department received the alarm at 3:12 a.m. and responded with four fire companies to 3203 14th Avenue. Battalion Chief Chris Willmore said the entire backside of the house was engulfed in flames. It took the firefighters roughly 30 minutes to get the blaze under control. Neighbors reported hearing loud explosions early on. Chief Willmore said propane tanks used for cooking likely exploded. Fortunately, no one was injured.

The house was considered a total loss, with damages estimated at $60,000 for the building and its contents.

Ismael Mendosa told firefighters that his son woke him to tell him the house was on fire. All of the occupants got out of the house safely. It is unclear just how many people lived actually lived in the house.

Chief Willmore said there was no evidence of a working smoke alarm in the house. The cause of the fire is undetermined and under investigation. Volunteers with the American Red Cross of Southeast Tennessee responded to the scene to provide assistance to the victims. Chattanooga police, Hamilton County EMS and EPB also provided assistance on the scene.