CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — UPDATE (Friday, 8:52AM):
The Chattanooga Fire Department says in a statement Friday morning that investigators think improperly discarded cigarette butts are the cause of a fire that damaged several apartments on Runyan Drive Thursday.
CFD spokesman Bruce Garner says the fire started on the balcony of Apartment 103 on the second floor.
Improperly discarded cigarette butts are a leading cause of fires. Here are some safety tips for smokers, and those who live with them:
- Use large, deep ashtrays and check them frequently.
- Ashtrays should be set on something sturdy and hard to ignite, like a table.
- Completely soak cigarette butts and ashes in water before throwing them away. NEVER toss hot cigarette butts or ashes in the trash.
- Check under furniture cushions and in other places people smoke for cigarette butts that may have fallen out of sight.
- Don't smoke in bed or lying down, especially if you are drowsy, medicated or have been drinking alcohol.
- Smoking should not be allowed in a home where medical oxygen is being used.
- Keep matches and lighters up high, out of children's sight and reach.
- Having a smoker in your home increases your chances of having a fire in your home. Consider adding additional smoke alarms in your home, specifically a photoelectric type, which is the most reliable for smoldering type fires.
PREVIOUSLY:
The Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) says several apartment units on Runyan Drive have been damaged after a fire Thursday afternoon.
Firefighters responded to the call at The Arbors of Signal Mountain at 5:19pm Thursday.
CFD spokesman Bruce Garner says firefighters found significant flames smoke and flames coming from the first building of the apartment complex.
Six additional fire companies were called in to help.
Three units had fire damage, and an additional two or three also had smoke and water damage.
Garner says no one has been reported injured as of yet, however 18 families have been temporarily displaced as power was cut because of fire damage.
Jeremy Brand lives across the street from the apartment complex, and he says he called 911 and then ran right into it to make sure people were safe.
"You get in the heat of the moment like that, no pun intended and your adrenaline kicks in and you just try to make sure that everyone's safe," said Brand.
Katherine Eagle says her sister lived in one of the apartments that caught fire.
"You guys are going to make me cry but I actually cried all the way over here because I thought my daughter was in here," says Eagle. "Everything can be replaceable but my daughter, my niece, my sister, my mother, they cannot be replacable."