A fire at an automotive repair shop in the 1100 block of Cemetery Avenue on Thursday afternoon prompted a large response from the Chattanooga Fire Department.
Three employees were evacuated, but no injuries were reported.
The fire broke out just before 2 p.m. Smoke could be seen billowing out of the building as firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze. At least 11 fire engines were on scene, blocking the northbound lanes of Central Avenue for some time.
Assistant Chief Danny Hague said it initially appeared the fire was coming from an exhaust fan, but the fire was actually in the layered roofing materials on top of the business.
Firefighters put the fire out in roughly 20 minutes.
Aside from the roof, Hague said most of the damage below was from smoke and water.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Tweets by Rosana Hughes