---
title: "Gas Heater Flash Sparks Fire That Destroys Birchwood Home"
url: https://www.herechattanooga.com/2026/10/18/birchwood-house-fire-sam-smith-road-family-escapes/
date: 2026-10-18T05:29:44-04:00
modified: 2026-10-18T05:29:44-04:00
author: "Tyler J. Saunders"
categories: ["Public Safety"]
site: "HEREChattanooga"
attribution: "HEREChattanooga"
---

# Gas Heater Flash Sparks Fire That Destroys Birchwood Home

> BIRCHWOOD, Tenn. — A family of three got out unhurt Friday evening before fire swallowed their single-story house on Sam Smith Road in the Birchwood area of Hamilton County, leaving the home a total loss. Someone called 911 at 6:20 p.m. about a burning home in the 6000 block of the road. Volunteers from the

*Source: [HEREChattanooga](https://www.herechattanooga.com/2026/10/18/birchwood-house-fire-sam-smith-road-family-escapes/) — October 18, 2026 by Tyler J. Saunders*

BIRCHWOOD, Tenn. — A family of three got out unhurt Friday evening before fire swallowed their single-story house on Sam Smith Road in the Birchwood area of Hamilton County, leaving the home a total loss.

Someone called 911 at 6:20 p.m. about a burning home in the 6000 block of the road. Volunteers from the Highway 58 Volunteer Fire Department pulled up within a few minutes and found flames through the whole structure.

Crews first made sure nobody was left inside. By then the blaze had taken over the house, so firefighters gave up on going in and fought it from outside instead.

According to fire officials, the homeowner was lighting a gas heater when it flashed and set a couch ablaze. Nobody living there was hurt; the two adults and their baby all got outside in time. An ambulance crew from Hamilton County EMS waited at the scene in case any firefighter needed care during the fight.

Investigators ruled the fire accidental. The American Red Cross is helping the family with immediate needs such as shelter and clothing.

So the rest of the district was not left uncovered, Tri-Community volunteers and the Chattanooga Fire Department, the city department based at 26 E 11th St, moved crews into both Highway 58 firehouses, Station 1 and Station 2, to answer any other calls while the volunteers were tied up on Sam Smith Road.

Outside the city limits, the Hamilton County Fire Department serves unincorporated Hamilton County with multiple stations, and volunteer departments like Highway 58 handle calls in their own districts.