03-05-2013 Several Families Displaced by Apartment Fire

The Chattanooga Fire Department responded with six fire companies. Battalion Chief Fredrick Blake said all of the residents had safely evacuated the two-story apartment building when the first firefighters arrived on the scene. The firefighters located the fire on the second floor, in the attic and in some of the walls (see photos). After cutting into the walls and ceiling, the firefighters were able to get the fire out. An estimate on the dollar loss was not available. No injuries were reported.

Some of the residents told firefighters that they heard lightning strike the building moments before the fire was discovered. The property manager said seven of the eight apartment units were occupied. Since the power had to be disconnected from all of the units as a precaution, all of the residents will have to spend the night elsewhere. Volunteers with the American Red Cross were called in to assist the displaced families. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

In the photo: Flames are still visible under the eave on the second floor of the apartment building. Chattanooga firefighters were already inside with hand-held hoselines and those flames were extinguished moments later.

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