Chattanooga: Kitchen fire causes $30,000 damage to Lakesite home

A fire that started in the kitchen of a Lakesite home caused about $30,000 in damage shortly before 9 a.m. today.

The Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department and several mutual aid companies responded to 1835 Bay Hill Road after a neighbor called 911 to report a fire, said Hamilton County Emergency Services spokeswoman Amy Maxwell in a news release.

Dallas Bay VFD arrived on the scene and reported heavy fire coming from the back side of house and heavy smoke coming from the eaves on the front of the house.

Dallas Bay VFD Chief Marcus Fritts requested a mutual aid response for additional manpower and the Red Bank Fire Department and Sequoyah Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene.

The homeowner, Patricia Lombardo, said she had emptied her ashtray into the kitchen garbage before she left for work, Ms. Maxwell said.

The cause of the fire is undetermined but is being investigated by the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department.

Chief Fritts reported the smoke detectors activated when fire started and he confirmed the fire started in the kitchen. Ms. Lombardo was insured and will be staying with friends, Ms. Maxwell said.

No injuries were reported.