An unattended hot plate led to a morning blaze that killed a woman’s pet cat, according to a news release.
The resident safely escaped her burning condo, but once out, she couldn’t locate either of her two cats.
She told firefighters that she put a kettle on a hot plate to warm up water for tea. She left the kitchen, and when she returned, the stove was on fire.
The woman escaped the condo without injury and called 911. But one of her cats died in the fire, probably from smoke inhalation, said Battalion Chief Don Bowman. Her other cat is still missing.
Captain Brent Arnold said no smoke was visible when they arrived, but when they approached the back of the condo and opened the back door, thick, black smoke poured out. As additional fire companies began to arrive on the scene, firefighters were able to put out the fire in five to ten minutes using a handheld hose.
Fire officials ruled that the blaze was accidental due to unattended cooking. Volunteers with the American Red Cross of Southeast Tennessee will provide assistance to the victim.
The section of Ashland Terrace in front of St. Jude Catholic School was closed during the firefighting operation. At around 11:00 a.m., the street was reopened to traffic.