No injuries were reported in connection with a house fire early Thursday morning in East Chattanooga.
The Chattanooga Fire Department received the alarm at
2:45 a.m. and responded to
2623 Andrews Street with five fire companies.
Captain Wadie Suttles with Engine 4 said the whole back side of the two-story house was totally engulfed in flames when his crew arrived on the scene. As additional firefighters arrived, they worked quickly to get the blaze under control.
The fire caused substantial damage to the house and what was left of the unstable structure presented a hazard to the public. Captain Suttles said a track hoe would be requested from city public works to raze the building.
Neighbors told firefighters that the house had been recently vacated. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Chattanooga police and Hamilton County EMS also provided assistance on the scene.