Firefighters battle mobile home fire during solar eclipse

Firefighters work to contain a mobile home fire on Monday, August 21, 2017 on Ogrady Drive.
Firefighters work to contain a mobile home fire on Monday, August 21, 2017 on Ogrady Drive.
photo Water is sprayed onto the remains of a mobile home that was destroyed by a fire on Monday, August 21, 2017 on Ogrady Drive in Chattanooga.

While many Chattanooga residents had their eyes on the sky during Monday's solar eclipse, firefighters were battling a mobile home fire.

The Chattanooga Fire Department responded to the 900 block of Ogrady Drive at 2:45 p.m. on Monday after multiple reports of a structure fire, according to a report from Battalion Chief Lesley Morgan.

The home was completely engulfed by flames about a quarter mile up a partial gravel driveway with approximately 250 feet of elevation, and was surrounded by heavy woods and brush, the report states.

A heavy black column of smoke could be seen from Highway 27 as Station 1 firefighters quickly contained the fire to the home. Chattanooga police and the HCSO stood by to assist.

A neighbor who noticed the smoke went to check on the residence, kicked in the front door and rescued the owner's dog, who was sitting by the door.

The owners of the home were reported by family neighbors to be out of town, but were immediately contacted, according to the report.

The owners said they did not have homeowner's insurance and they would stay with family once they returned.

The structure was determined to be worth approximately $40,000. Several sheds, a camper, a vehicle and a motorcycle were not damaged.

The Fire Investigation Division is investigating the cause of the fire, which remains undetermined at this time.

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