7/29/2007

The North River Family YMCA and Aquatic Center on Hixson Pike is temporarily closed following a fire this morning. The Chattanooga Fire Department received the alarm at 8:00 a.m. today and responded to 4138 Hixson Pike with several fire companies. The first firefighters on the scene saw light smoke coming from the roof. Captain Marcus Wolff said the firefighters quickly made their way through the front door and located the area of the fire in the women's sauna and locker room. They forced their way in through a locked door, but the black smoke was so thick the firefighters had to use a thermal imaging camera to locate the seat of the fire. It then took the firefighters roughly 45 minutes to get the blaze under control.

The fire damage was contained to the women's sauna, and the women's and men's locker rooms. Other parts of the building sustained smoke, heat and water damage. An estimate on the dollar was unavailable, but it will likely go into the hundreds of thousands. No one was believed to be in the building at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is undetermined and under investigation.

Lisa Talley, director of marketing and communications for the North River YMCA, said the facility will be closed today (Sunday) and Monday to allow them time to assess the damage and decide how the rest of the facility will operate while repairs are being made.

###