Body found in burned house

photo Crime scene tape and downed wires mark off the driveway at 1331 Ely Road where Chattanooga firefighters responded to a fire early Tuesday and pulled a body out. Staff Photo by Beth Burger/Chattanooga Times Free Press

Chattanooga firefighters pulled a body out of a charred house just off Ely Road early Tuesday.

It's still unclear who the body is or what caused the fire, said Bruce Garner, Chattanooga Fire Department public information officer.

The body was taken to the Hamilton County Medical Examiner's Office for identification and determination of cause of death.

Power remained out in the Hixson neighborhood Tuesday morning, and yellow crime scene tape and downed power lines marked the driveway to the house at 1331 Ely Road.

Tommy Allen, 58, a nearby resident, said he watched flames shoot through the roof of the small house about 4:30 a.m.

"You could see flames inside. They [firefighters] got it in time," he said. "Most of the house is still standing."

Allen said residents have not seen anyone living inside the little blue house for at least a month.

Garner said the home was sparsely furnished.

"It raises some questions," he said.

Detectives from the Chattanooga Police Department also were called to investigate.

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