Small Desk Fan Causes Fire At St. Jude School

Chattanooga Fire Department investigators believe a malfunctioning desk fan was to blame for a fire at St. Jude School on Ashland Terrace. 

It happened just before 10 AM Wednesday. 

Quint 16 was first on the scene after receiving a report of smoke from the staff.

Firefighters searched the building and found a small fire in the mechanical room.

There was a desk in the mechanical room and investigators say a small fan on the desk overheated, starting a fire. It burned papers on the desk, went up the wall and caused an overhead pipe to burst. Water from the pipe acted as a sprinkler and put the fire out. Damage was less than $1,000.

The school was empty at the time due to COVID-19 closures.

There were no injuries.

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