UPDATE: East Ridge Fire Department (ERFD) officials are trying to figure out what sparked a blaze at an apartment complex on Thursday morning.
It started around 4:30am at Germantown Garden Apartment Homes near Ascension Lutheran Church.
ERFD Chief Mike Williams said the fire started on the second floor at the end of Building 8.
East Ridge police say they evacuated residents from at least 20 apartments as the flames spread quickly and could be seen shooting through the roof of the building.
Some residents waited at the leasing office at the complex while others went to a nearby church.
Williams said no one was hurt; however, he also said that some pets were still missing.
About five hours after arriving at the scene, crews were monitoring hotspots to keep the flames from reigniting.
Williams said Building 8 was destroyed.
The exact number of people who were evacuated is unknown at this time.
Officials said the Red Cross is helping the victims.
An employee with Germantown Gardens leasing office told Local 3 that they will keep the affected tenants in the loop through a mass communications system that is in place.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Fire agencies from Chattanooga and Catoosa County helped with the fire response.
Stay with Local 3 News for updates to this developing story.
PREVIOUS STORY: East Ridge Fire Chief Mike Williams says no residents are unaccounted for after an early morning fire at an apartment building in East Ridge.
Williams says while they still do not know what caused the fire at Germantown Garden Apartment Homes, they know it started at the end of the building on a second floor apartment.
East Ridge fire is still on the scene as of 9:30am to monitor hot spots, while residents are in the leasing center and a nearby church.
American Red Cross of Tennessee is there to assist displaced residents.
No injuries have been reported, but some pets are unaccounted for.
Local 3’s crews are on the scene, speaking to displaced residents.
PREVIOUS STORY: Residents of Germantown Garden Apartment Homes are gathered in the leasing office as multiple fire agencies continue to fight the blaze.
At about 4:46am, residents were evacuated as flames began coming through the roof of the building.
Fire crews continue to monitor the site, checking for hotspots.
Fire crews continue to monitor the site, checking for hotspots.
No injuries have been reported.
PREVIOUS: East Ridge Firefighters are responding to a fire at Germantown Garden Apartment Homes.
Officials were notified of heavy smoke and flames around 4:30 am.
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