As the wind chill edged temperatures toward zero Thursday evening and most huddled inside for warmth, several locals were displaced from their homes.
Three independent house fires were reported in the downtown area Thursday around 7 p.m.
Two occurred about a block from each other, in south Chattanooga, and the other in East Lake.
Only minor injuries were reported, according to releases from the Chattanooga Fire Department.
The Engine 5 squad was on its way back to the station after fighting a house fire at 1705 E. Main St. when the firefighters saw smoke again. Then they saw people running in and out of a burning duplex at 1808 E. 13th St.
Damage from a kitchen fire is examined after it was put out.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, according to a release from the department.
One resident appeared to have some burns to his hands but refused to be transported to a hospital, according to the release.
The cause of that fire was unknown as of press time.
The East Main Street fire 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 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.
The third fire, at 1911 E. 34th St., was still under investigation as of press time. Everyone was safely outside of the house when firefighters arrived, a release states.