photo by Battalion Chief Chris Willmore
Chattanooga firefighters responded to a reported structure fire shortly after 10 p.m. Thursday at Scenic City Concrete Pumping, at 2903 South Orchard Knob Ave.
Captain Donny McMillian with Engine 9 said smoke was visible when the first firefighters arrived. Captain McMillian said the firefighters had to force their way through a locked gate and into the building, where they found a large pile of wood burning.
Battalion Chief Chris Willmore, the incident commander, said the wood had been collected and used in a wood-burning stove that is used to heat the building during cold weather. The firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire with no injuries reported. The firefighters then opened up the building to remove the smoke.
No one was in the building at the time of the fire. Chief Willmore said most of the building was undamaged, with the loss estimated at $30,000. The cause of the fire is under investigation.