5/20/2006

Fire caused extensive damage to a Mountain Creek Road home this evening, and the cause appears to be weather-related.  As a thunderstorm passed overhead, Earnest Cooper said lightning struck his house.  His smoke alarm activated, but when he searched his two-story home, he didn't find any evidence of a fire.  Moments later, however, a neighbor banged on his door and told him his home was on fire.  Mr. Cooper and his daughter got out of the house unharmed.  His wife and son were away at the time.

The Chattanooga Fire Department received the alarm at 7:26 p.m. and responded with four fire companies to 4426 Mountain Creek Road.  Firefighters with Quint 17 were the first on the scene.  Captain Freddie Leamon said thick, black smoke was pouring out of the attic gables on both ends of the roof.

As additional fire companies arrived on the scene, Chattanooga firefighters attacked the fire from the inside, and also raised ladders to attack the fire through the gables.  Getting water on the fire in the attic was very difficult.  The firefighters had to cut into the roof in several locations to get to the flames.  Captain Tommie Mauldin, the Incident Commander, called for two additional fire companies in the event the flames got out of control.  Fortunately, the firefighters were able to get the fire out before it could spread to the rest of the house below.  The fire caused extensive damage to the roof, and there was substantial water damage to the rest of the house.  Firefighters did cover up furniture and other personal belonging with tarps in an effort to minimize the damage.

The cause of the fire will be ruled accidental since it was most likely caused by a lightning strike.  The dollar loss was estimated at around $400,000 for the structure and its contents.

Chattanooga police, Hamilton County EMS and Chattanooga-Hamilton County Rescue provided assistance on the scene.

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