Local family loses everything to duplex fire

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Early Friday evening, a local family lost everything when their duplex went up in flames, destroying all of their belongings.

At 4:36 PM, firefighters responded to a duplex in the 3200 block of Rosemont Drive off S. Seminole Drive.

The report stated that flames had been coming from the residential structure.

When the residents of the structure arrived home, they found the fire engulfing the first and second floors.

We were able to speak with the family about this incident, who say they lost everything.

Mike Blevins, the renter, recalls the events before the fire began. “We’d come home from work, and we went to the store for some groceries. We came back, and it was a blaze.”

Firefighters began attacking the fire with full force.

First responders say that downed, live power lines sparked and created dangers on the scene, so crews were removed from the structure, and defensive operations got underway.

Once the Chattanooga Fire Department was able to gain its way back inside, they began to fight the flames again.

However, when there was a partial collapse of the front porch, everyone was removed from the house.

Heavy equipment was brought out to aid in completely extinguishing the fire after several hours of CFD’s efforts.

The Blevins family carefully examined what was left of their home.

Blevins’ wife holds back tears as she says they lost so much in the fire, including their dog, Ziggy.

“My mother died here three years ago,” Blevins explains. “We were her caregivers for 10 years, her ashes and all her personal belongings, and my little dog. The priceless things you won’t get back. Everything else is material. It’s the stuff like that, it hurts.”

This fire has grabbed so much attention, that the previous renter from 2000, came back to officially say goodbye.

Chelsea Mello Gilbert explains her emotional tie to the home.

“This was the first house that my family and I lived in, when we moved to Chattanooga in 2000, so quite a long time ago.
And there’s just lots of memories here. It’s such a strange feeling, seeing it down to the ground like this.”

She gives her condolences as she knows this is a very difficult time.

” I’m so sorry for your loss. I can’t even imagine what you’re going through right now. I’m so sorry.”

She quotes her mother, “There is a lot of history in that house–so many answered prayers. Hard times, laughter, friends, spiritual battles, and growth.”

No injuries have been reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Due to the events destroying so many essential items, along with their home, the family has set up a GoFundMe, where they’re asking for support from the community.

“I would hate it to happen to anybody else,” Blevins adds, “and we appreciate anybody that helps.”

You can donate by clicking here.