Huge Fire Update

Chattanooga fire investigators still believe that lightning is the most likely cause of yesterday's house fire at 1202 King Arthur Road. Lieutenant Henry McElvain bases that opinion on the physical evidence and eyewitness accounts. Though it was initially believed that no one was home at the time, Lt. McElvain later learned that two people were home when the fire broke out.

Clinton Tallent and his wife Mildred, both in their 90s, lived downstairs. Their son, Harold Tallent, lived upstairs, but was not home at the time. The elderly couple told Lt. McElvain that they heard a loud "bang," which shook the house. The lights flickered and then went out. As Mildred went to get a flashlight, she started smelling smoke. Fortunately, their next-door-neighbor, Mike Weinmann, heard the noise and saw smoke coming from the roof of the house where the Tallents lived. Mr. Weinmann ran to their house, got the couple out safely and then called 911.

Chattanooga firefighters saved the bottom portion of the five-bedroom house, but the second floor and roof were destroyed. The dollar loss was estimated at around $150,000. Lt. McElvain said he is waiting for information from a lightning analysis that is being conducted, but barring any surprises, the cause of the fire will be listed as accidental.