6/10/2009

Chattanooga firefighters rushed to a duplex fire around 1:30 a.m. today at 2614 E. 16th Street.  All of the occupants who lived there were safely outside when the first firefighters arrived on the scene. 

Captain Tony Manis with Engine 5 said the left, rear side of the duplex was engulfed in flames.  The flames were spreading into the attic as the firefighters made their way inside with handheld hoselines to make an interior attack.  Captain Manis said the fire was brought under control quickly, but there was substantial fire damage to a bedroom, the attic, and the kitchen, where the fire is believed to have started.  There was also smoke and water damage to both apartments.  The dollar loss was estimated at around $45,000.  No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire appears to be accidental, most likely from food being left unattended on the stove.  Volunteers with the Chattanooga chapter of the American Red Cross responded to the scene to provide recovery assistance to the victims.

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