An early morning fire destroyed the historic Half Note Lounge, while the Whole Note next door suffered water damage during the ensuing effort to extinguish the blaze, officials said Friday.
The fire was first reported shortly after 1 a.m. on Friday, as flames shot through the roof and acrid smoke filled the surrounding area.
It took seven fire companies on scene more than an hour to get the blaze under control.
Firefighters were able to stop the blaze, which erupted next to the Douglas Heights Apartments on the corner of Douglas Street and East M.L. King Boulevard, before it spread to adjacent buildings, but had to shut down the historic street through Friday morning as they extinguished hot spots.
Firefighters were initially worried the conflagration could threaten a nearby high voltage area and the Douglas Heights apartment building that houses UTC students, as smoke was getting inside the student housing structure. Chief Ashley May asked Chattanooga police to close the outside vents at Douglas Heights, and students were asked to shelter in place.
Most of the damage - estimated at $155,000 by fire officials - was sustained by the abandoned structure at 500 E. M.L. King Blvd, while the structure next door at 506 E. M.L. King Blvd. was largely spared from fire damage but sustained water damage.
No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.