TOWNSEND, Tenn. — Townsend Police Chief Kevin Condee said fire investigators have determined the cause of the fire at the Trailhead Steak and Trout House.
Investigators with the Blount County Fire Investigation team ruled the fire as unintentional caused by "electrical arcing" within the upstairs eastward exterior wall. According to the release from the Townsend Police Department, the structure was a total loss.
Fire crews said they were first notified of the fire at Trailhead Steak & Trout House on E. Lamar Alexander Parkway around 4:50 a.m. Friday. When they arrived, the fire was coming through the roof and half the building was in flames.
No one was inside as the building burned, according to Townsend Fire. They said a nearby fire hydrant helped extinguish the flames. Usually, they have to bring in their water supply, which delays them.
Don Stallions, the Townsend Area Volunteer Fire Chief, said around a third of the building was on fire when crews arrived.
"We encountered some really aggressive fire behavior which drove our crews out. It forced us to back up and move our trucks. So we didn't have control. It took about an hour. That's one reason why it's a total loss," Stallions said.
One firefighter received minor injuries but refused treatment at the scene, according to the release.