Electrical Fire in Tenn. Apartment Building Leads to Evacuation, Loss of Power

An electrical fire started in the mechanical room of a Chattanooga, Tenn., apartment building on Monday, leading to the evacuation of the building for at least a day. The fire broke out on the 8th floor of the Jaycee Towers and caused an entire loss of power to the residential building.

The fire was put out in less than 10 minutes by the Chattanooga Fire Department, according to the Times Free Press. But since power was knocked out to the entire building and EPB said the repairs would take hours so power could be restored, 150 residents were evacuated.

The Times Free Press reported that some emergency lights may not have been working as well, and the fire marshal's office will investigate.

The Jaycee Towers is classified as Section 8 housing, and has 190 total units with 145 assisted living units. Jaycee Towers earned a Housing Quality Standards score of 96 out of 100 about eight years ago, which means the living conditions of the property are well above average Section 8 conditions. A score of 86 or above is considered healthy and safe by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).