Firefighters helped prevent a fire from completely destroying a South Chattanooga business early this morning, according to a Chattanooga Fire Department news release.
The department received an alarm at 12:17 a.m. and responded to a fire at Republic Services at 1000 E. 38th St. with six fire companies.
Firefighters with Quint 14 were the first to arrive on the scene and they reported seeing heavy fire on one side of the building. Capt. Tim Greer called for a second alarm response after seeing the magnitude of the fire, bringing in an additional six fire companies. Firefighters with Quint 13 said they could see the flames from miles away as they responded to the fire.
The flames broke through the roof as additional firefighters arrived on the scene. Firefighters made a quick interior attack on the fire, getting the blaze under control in roughly 30 minutes, said Battalion Chief Ashley May, the incident commander.
The Chattanooga Police Department and Hamilton County Emergency Medical Services also provided assistance on the scene.
No injuries were reported. A few employees were reportedly in the building when the fire was discovered but they got out unharmed.
Most of the building was saved but the fire caused substantial damage to one part of the structure. The dollar loss has been estimated at $150,000.
The lead fire investigator believes the cause of the fire is accidental, but what exactly sparked the blaze remains under investigation.
Republic Services provides waste and recycling services in Chattanooga.