Fire did significant damage to a commercial building on Ringgold Road early Saturday morning.

East Ridge Fire Department officials said they were alerted to the fire by police at about 4:45 a.m. at the building at 3507 Ringgold Road. The building houses Sabor Catracho restaurant and RNR Tire Express.

Fire Chief Mike Williams said that police had responded to the scene as a result of a burglar alarm being activated. When police arrived they saw heavy smoke coming from the building and called the firefighters.

Chief Williams said a commercial building fire prompted a second alarm. An engine company and ladder company from the Chattanooga Fire Department responded. Firefighters from Catoosa County stood by at the Station 1 while East Ridge battled the blaze.

Chief Williams said the fire’s origin was from the kitchen of the Mexican and Honduran restaurant. 

“There are security cameras inside and we will take a look at that during the investigation,” Chief Williams said.

The fire was contained to the restaurant but the rest of the complex suffered smoke damage, officials said.

Chief Williams said that “it was a great stop to keep it from spreading throughout the building.”

Traffic on Ringgold Road was disrupted for several hours. The commercial road was fully reopened to traffic at 7:30 a.m.

No injuries were reported. Fire officials estimated the damage to the restaurant could be as much as $100,000.

Photo courtesy of Frank Pate

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