Chattanooga firefighters didn’t need an alarm to sound to know there was a fire at 1808 E. 13th St. earlier this evening.
The Engine 5 squad was on its way back to the station after fighting a house fire about a block away when the firefighters saw smoke. Then they saw people running in and out of a burning duplex.
Captain Andrew Waters with the Fire Investigation Division looks for clues to help determine what might have started the fire. Lt. Henry McElvain is assisting with the investigation.After firefighters searched both sides of the duplex for victims, they confirmed that all residents a mother and her two children on one side, and reportedly three people on the other had safely made it outside, a release from the Chattanooga Fire Department states.
One resident appeared to have some burns to his hands but refused to be transported to a hospital, according to the release.
It took the firefighters 20 to 30 minutes to get the blaze under control.
The cause of that fire is unknown at this time.
The earlier fire, at 1705 E. Main St., has been ruled accidental. Capt. Andrew Waters with the Fire Investigation Division said a 50-year-old woman was heating up grease on the stove when it got too hot and caught on fire, according to a separate release.
She was transported to Erlanger for burns caused when she spilled grease on her legs. According to the release, her injuries are thought to be non-life-threatening.