An investigation is underway after firefighters extinguished a fire at the vacant Lamar’s Restaurant and Motel in the 1800 block of E. M.L. King Boulevard late Friday night, according to a news release from the Chattanooga Fire Department.
The battalion chief for District 1 was driving in the area when he spotted smoke and fire from two windows of the abandoned Lamar’s building. The battalion chief called for a full commercial response about 10 p.m. and then a second alarm a few minutes later, the news release stated.
Crews arrived and extinguished several fires on the first floor. Firefighters made another attack on fires that had extended to the second floor. Once they had the flames under control, firefighters worked through both floors to make sure the fire was fully extinguished, according to the release.
A fire department spokesperson said obstacles were created by the amount of debris and contents inside the building that had been hoarded by homeless occupants who had been using the building for shelter. There were no injuries and no occupants were found in the building after a search.
The fire is under investigation.