Three families were displaced when a fire ripped through their apartment building around 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
Residents at the Bluff View Apartments at the intersection of Mountain Creek and Morrison Springs roads stated the power went out and they heard a popping noise in the common wall of the two lower apartments, said Lt. Terri Whiteside, a Chattanooga Fire Department spokeswoman. All the residents left the structure and someone called 911.
Chattanooga firefighters responded and knocked down most of the flames, but they had to do an extensive search of the structure due to the fire getting into the walls and traveling to the attic.
Capt. Jeffery Kincer said the fire may have been caused by an electrical malfunction in the laundry area.
Red Cross personnel are assisting the families.