3/9/2009

Chattanooga firefighters worked hard to save an elderly couple's home this evening, but the flames spread quickly through the attic, causing substantial damage to the one-story house.  Fred Douglas and his wife Leontine told firefighters they were in the back yard when the fire started.  Ms. Douglas discovered the fire first and alerted her husband, who initially tried to get inside, but the intense heat keep him from entering. 

Someone nearby called 911 from a cell phone at 6:28 p.m. to report the fire and the Chattanooga Fire Department responded to 2307 Belle Arbor Avenue with four fire companies.  The entire back side of the house was engulfed in flames (see photos) as the first firefighters arrived on the scene.  The firefighters made an interior attack and also worked to extinguish the fire from the outside as well.  Battalion Chief Winston Shields said it took roughly 30 minutes to get the blaze under control.  No injuries were reported. 

A fire investigator is currently trying to determine what started the blaze.  A dollar estimate on the damage was not available.  Volunteers with the local Red Cross were called in to provide assistance to the fire victims.  Chattanooga police, Hamilton County EMS and Chattanooga-Hamilton County Rescue also provided assistance on the scene.

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