UPDATE: Two homes totally destroyed in separate house fires in 10 minute span

A propane heater led to a fire that totally destroyed a Mowbray Mountain home Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017.
A propane heater led to a fire that totally destroyed a Mowbray Mountain home Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017.
photo A propane heater led to a fire that totally destroyed a Mowbray Mountain home Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017.

UPDATE at 7:29 p.m.: A home on Mowbray Mountain was totally destroyed by a fire that started when a homeowner was trying to light a propane heater in the house, according to a release from Hamilton County Emergency Services.

The fire was reported within 10 minutes of another house fire, described below, on Walden's Ridge.

The Mowbray Mountain home was located in the 800 block of Sluder Lane.

The propane heater backfired while the owner was trying to light it, according to the release, and injured the man. He was treated for minor burns at the scene and declined to be taken to a hospital.

The fire was ruled accidental. The homeowner was uninsured and will be staying with family, according to the release.

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First fire: Several fire companies tried to stop a blaze that destroyed a vacant home on Fairmount Road on Walden's Ridge this afternoon.

A neighbor called 911 at 5 p.m. and Walden's Ridge Emergency Services responded to find the home fully involved, said emergency services spokeswoman Amy Maxwell.

They asked for mutual aid, and crews from Lone Oak and Signal Mountain brought more equipment while Dallas Bay and Red Bank firefighters covered their territories.

Fire officials reported the fire had been burning for awhile before the heat vented itself through the roof and windows. The cause is under investigation.

Maxwell said the house was a total loss, but no injuries were reported.

Update at 9:26 p.m.:

The presence of what firefighters suspected to be magnesium complicated the firefight on Walden's Ridge, according to responders on the scene.

Magnesium flares when hit with water can explode.

Dozens of emergency personnel remained at the scene until mid-evening as the smoke subsided.

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