The first firefighters on the scene were with Engine 15. Captain Chris Fryar said flames were already shooting through the roof, but the firefighters went inside anyway to search for the children and anyone else. As the firefighters made their way up to the second floor, the roof began to collapse. For the safety of the firefighters, Captain Fryar ordered the firefighters to get out of the structure. They were able to do so without being injured.
Fortunately, Christa Williams and her five children, ages 5 to 11, were not home. The children were all at school. The firefighters eventually got the blaze under control, but the house was a total loss. Battalion Chief Steve Swanson said that since no one was home, the fire had plenty of time to spread through the house before finally being noticed by neighbors. An estimate on the dollar loss was not available. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Volunteers with the American Red Cross of Southeast Tennessee were called in to provide assistance to the family. Chattanooga police and Hamilton County EMS also provided assistance on the scene.
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