Firefighters responding to a fire in the 1700 block of S. Seminole Drive found flames up to 30 feet high when they first arrived, Capt. Brandon Schroyer said.
No injuries were reported, but by the time firefighters arrived, a parked car in a carport was already on fire and flames were beginning to get into the attic of the duplex.
Responders fought aggressively to get the flames under control and did save both sides of the livable space in the home, but because of damage to the attic and wiring, an EPB technician had to pull both meters as a precaution.
As a result, two people in each duplex will be sleeping elsewhere tonight and are being assisted by volunteers with the American Red Cross of Southeast Tennessee.
According to Captain Brandon Schroyer, the cause of the duplex fire was accidental.
A resident told firefighters that he had been having trouble with the car and when his wife arrived home with it, smoke began coming out of the engine.
When flames erupted, he tried to move the car out of the carport, but the engine wouldn't start. He was then unable to put out the fire himself and by the time responders arrived, the car and carport were engulfed in flames.