By Adam Crisp
The Chattanooga Times Free Press
RIVERVIEW, Tenn. — Chattanooga firefighters fought back flames for more than an hour at a Minnekahda Place home in Riverview Thursday evening.
Four trucks originally responded to the fire at a three-story wood-frame home, but when Battalion Chief Bob Dixon arrived, he called for an additional two fire companies.
Firefighters are not sure what ignited the blaze in the cedar-sided hilltop home, said Bruce Garner, a Chattanooga Fire Department spokesman.
Richard Ledford, an occupant, told firefighters he was nearly asleep when he started smelling smoke. He said he then noticed a haze toward the ceiling lights and heard a smoke alarm activate.
Mr. Ledford said he went downstairs to alert the other occupant, Peggy Abshire. They gathered up Ms. Absire’s pet dog, and everyone got out of the house safely, Mr. Garner said.
About a dozen firefighters worked in and around the residence as thick white smoke billowed from the home’s second-story windows.
Dewayne Dunn, who was working in a nearby house under construction, said he helped Mr. Ledford and Ms. Abshire out of the home.
Mr. Garner said an estimate on the dollar loss was unavailable. Volunteers with the American Red Cross were called in to provide assistance to the victims.
Copyright 2008 Chattanooga Publishing Company