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Three house fires end cold week in Chattanooga; 2 pets believed dead, 2 homes destroyed
Firefighters battled two major house fires and an electrical fire in a Hixson home Friday to end a cold week that saw an unusual number of fires.
"It's been a busy four days," Chattanooga Fire Department battalion chief Don Bowman said outside the Hixson home. "There's an overload of electrical [appliances] right now with the cold temperatures."
One firefighter suffered a head injury when she slipped and fell on frozen water runoff while working a morning fire. She was taken to a local hospital for observation, and her injuries are not life-
threatening, according to a release from public information director Bruce Garner.
The first fire was reported at 2:35 a.m. at 7860 Magnolia Lake Drive. No one was home at the time of the fire. The homeowners were planning on selling the house next week, according to the release. The home was a total loss.
When firefighters arrived, they reported there was no visible fire. They contacted the homeowner to gain access to the home, and once inside, found an active fire hidden in the floor, according to Battalion Chief Brandon Schroyer. First responders worked until 7 a.m. and were relieved by another shift of responders who continued working on the fire for several hours.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. The structure was razed to make it easier for firefighters to put out hot spots and remove any potential hazards such as unsupported brick walls, according to the release.
Another house fire was reported at 1048 Hurricane Creek Road while firefighters were still putting out hotspots at the Magnolia Lake Drive home.
Firefighters were hampered by low water pressure, and one of the fire engines that responded had a partially frozen pump that made it unusable.
A dog and kitten are believed to have died in the fire. Two dogs were able to escape. The family of six was not home during the fire, but lost everything and are receiving assistance, Garner said.
Later in the afternoon, emergency personnel responded to an electrical fire at 3501 Oak Ridge Drive.
There were two parents and a teenager in the Hixson home, and they all escaped safely, Bowman said. The fire caused minimal damage and has been ruled accidental. It was located in the breaker box outside the home.
Contact Mark Pace at mpace@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6361. Follow him on Twitter @themarkpace.