A fire damaged a duplex and displaced residents early Thursday morning in Brainerd, according to a Chattanooga Fire Department news release.
Chattanooga firefighters were sent out shortly before 7 a.m. to investigate reports that smoke was visible in the Brainerd area off Moore Road. Firefighters from Station 13 on Brainerd Road drove through the area and came upon a duplex that was on fire. A total of four fire companies were dispatched to the fire, located at 4605 Mayfair Ave.
Flames were seen shooting through the roof when the first firefighters arrived on the scene. While enduring subfreezing temperatures and ice collecting on their turnout gear, the firefighters were able to get the blaze under control in roughly 30 minutes, containing the fire damage to one side of the duplex. The other side of the duplex had smoke and water damage, Capt. Dusty Rose, the incident commander, said.
No one was reportedly home at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, Capt. Henry McElvain with the Fire Investigation Division said. McElvain estimated the dollar loss at $70,000.
Volunteers with the American Red Cross of Southeast Tennessee were called in to provide assistance to the two people displaced by the fire. Chattanooga police and Hamilton County EMS also provided assistance on the scene.