Fire destroyed an old, vacant commercial building fire early Thursday morning at 451 Wauhatchie Pike. A passing motorist saw huge flames coming from the former business, and called 911 Communications at 4:25 a.m. The Chattanooga Fire Department responded with six fire companies.
Captain Tom Montgomery with Squad 20 said the building was engulfed in flames when his fire company arrived.
With the building already too far gone to save, the firefighters fought the fire defensively to keep the flames from spreading off the property. Battalion Chief Chris Willmore said the building was a loss. No injuries were reported.
Chief Willmore said the building was previously used as a body shop, but it has not been used for at least 10 years. Lt. Henry McElvain with the Fire Investigation Division said the building has been frequented by vagrants. The cause of the fire is under investigation.