More than 20 residents in East Ridge are safe but displaced after an early morning fire destroyed the top of a three-story apartment complex Thursday, officials said.
Several emergency agencies responded to the Germantown Garden Apartments shortly after 4:30 a.m. after reports of heavy smoke and fire coming from the roof of the 800 building, East Ridge Fire Chief Mike Williams said.
“Once the fire gets in the attic, it pretty much takes off,” Williams said by phone.
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When police and firefighters realized where the flames were, they began evacuating people, Williams said. No injuries were reported, he said, but some pets, believed to have escaped, are still missing.
The flames started on the third floor, Williams said, and while the fire’s cause is still under investigation, officials believe the source will likely be accidental. A final determination will hopefully come by Friday, he said.
East Ridge has a lot of apartments, Williams said, so apartment fires come around once or twice a year. He said a fire of the magnitude of the Germantown Garden Apartments comes every five to 10 years.
Even though the flames affected the upper level of the building, the lower floors received water damage due to how firefighters needed to put out the flames.
“All in all, yes, this is a very bad situation, very bad for the tenants,” he said. “We understand, you know, the loss of this magnitude, and we’ll help them and do anything we can.”
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The American Red Cross of Tennessee gathered at Ascension Lutheran Church to assist those affected by the fire, according to the nonprofit’s social media.
Contact breaking news reporter Mason Edwards at medwards@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6409.
Catoosa County Government / Heavy flames engulf the upper level of the Germantown Garden Apartments in East Ridge.
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