A man has been charged with arson after a Friday morning house fire on Explorer Lane in East Brainerd, according to a news release from the Chattanooga Fire Department.
CFD investigators determined that Christopher Stevens, 35, had been upset about something and allegedly set the house on fire. He was found to be living there and was alone at the time.
When firefighters arrived at the scene around 9:10 a.m., they received information that Chattanooga police officers were also headed to the scene following reports of a possible armed person at the location. Firefighters heard what they thought to be several gunshots and pulled back until officers had Stevens in custody, the release states.
By the time firefighters reached the residence, the fire had spread to the woods surrounding the structure. It took them most of the morning to put the fire out. The home is considered to be a total loss.
Stevens did not suffer any injuries from the fire but was taken to a local hospital for an evaluation, according to the release.