Fire destroys house, kills pet snakes and iguana

SALE CREEK, Tenn. (WDEF) — Hamilton County Emergency Management said fire crews were battling a house fire on Friday. Some of their residents’ pets did not make it out alive.

The fire was located at 119 Griffith Street.

A neighbor frantically ran across the street to alert their neighbor that their back porch was on fire. The homeowners then called 911 to report it, Hamilton County authorities said.

Then Sale Creek volunteer firefighters arrived on the scene at 4 p.m.

Authorities said the firefighters had a difficult time extinguishing the fire due to high winds.

The homeowner had seven snakes and one iguana. But five of the snakes and the iguana did not survive the fire, according to Sale Creek Fire Chief Adam Gaither.

None of the occupants of the house were injured.

First responders are still trying to determine what caused the fire.

They reported that the house is now a total loss. Damages are unknown at this time.

The American Red Cross will be assisting the family of five.