Lightning Possible Cause of Huge House Fire

Fire raced through a large, two-story house in East Brainerd this afternoon. The Chattanooga Fire Department got the call at 4:19 p.m. and rushed to 1202 King Arthur Road with four fire companies.

The smoke and flames could be seen for miles as the firefighters rushed to the scene. Battalion Chief Mike Knox said the fire appears to have started on the roof over the attached garage and then spread through the attic across the house. Chief Knox called for two additional fire companies to bring in additional firefighters and equipment.

During the height of the operation, two firefighters were overcome by heat exhaustion. Another firefighter received a minor burn to the back of his neck from a burning ember. All three were treated on the scene by paramedics with Hamilton County EMS. None of the firefighters were taken to the hospital

Chief Knox said this was one of the most difficult fires he has ever personally experienced.

"Just when we thought we were making progress, the fire would pop up again in another part of the attic," said Chief Knox. "It's been a very stubborn fire to put out."

The firefighters did save some personal belongings, such as family pictures, but the fire damage was substantial and most likely the house will be considered a total loss. An estimate on the dollar loss was not available.

No one was believed to be home when the fire was discovered by neighbors and passing motorists. The fire was reported around the time a severe thunderstorm was passing through the area. A fire investigator will try to confirm whether or not the fire was started by lightning, or something else.