Early morning house fire under investigation in Chattanooga

Chattanooga firefighters were dispatched to a house fire at 2400 E. 12th Street around 3:30 a.m. today. Battalion Chief Phil Hyman said most of the house was engulfed in flames when the first firefighters arrived on the scene.

Firefighters with five fire companies eventually got the blaze under control, but the damage was extensive. The dollar loss was estimated at around $40,000. No injuries were reported.

The house was thought to be occupied when the fire was reported to 911 Communications, but the occupant reportedly left the scene before firefighters arrived. Lieutenant Henry McElvain with the Fire Investigation Division said the cause of the fire is undetermined and under investigation.