Chattanooga firefighters work the scene of a fire at a homeless camp on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018.The Chattanooga Fire Department responded to a reported explosion and extinguished a fire in a homeless camp area at around 11 a.m. Thursday, according to a news release.
Smoke and flames could be seen in a section of woods off the 7400 block of Commons Boulevard by firefighters, who used hand-held hoselines to put the fire out.
Firefighters found several small bottles of propane, most likely used for camp stoves, that are believed to be the source of the explosion people in the area heard.
Several tents, mattresses and other items burned in the fire, but no residents were there at the time. Two dogs that appeared to be in the care of homeless people did not survive, according to the release.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.