A fire this evening caused significant smoke damage to the La-Z-Boy furniture store warehouse on Gunbarrel Road, officials said.
The Chattanooga Fire Department received the alarm at 6:44 p.m. and responded with six fire companies, said department spokesman Bruce Garner.
The store's manager told responders he heard a "popping sound" in the warehouse behind the main store and went to investigate. When he opened the warehouse door, thick, black smoke billowed out and activated the fire alarm system, Garner said.
Responders said the building's sprinkler system kept the fire in check until firefighters could extinguish the blaze.
Actual fire damage was limited to a few pieces of furniture, Garner said. The main store, separate from the warehouse, appeared to have only received minor smoke damage, he said.
The manager was transported to Erlanger hospital, suffering from smoke inhalation, responders said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, Garner said.