Firefighters raced to Family Table Grill  late Thursday afternoon on a reported structure fire.

East Ridge Fire Department  responded to the blaze in the 3900 block of Ringgold Road at about 3:50..  No injuries were reported, officials said.

Family Table employee Cathy Brown said she had just come into the building to begin her shift when people inside began to smell smoke.  Brown said she and other employees hustled everyone out of the building.

Standing outside in the drizzling rain, Brown produced cell phone camera photos taken from across the street by another business owner.  These photos show fire licking the front exterior of the building  close to an electrical line.  Brown further said she believed that lightning may have struck the building and started the fire.  There was an electrical storm in the area at the time of the fire.

East Ridge Fire Chief Mike Williams said heavy smoke and fire was coming from the attic of the structure when firefighters arrived. An interior attack was launched ensuring that the fire would not spread to other nearby buildings. 

Officials said a second alarm was called to assist with manpower. Assistance was provided by Catoosa County, Rossville, Red Bank, Fort Oglethorpe and Tri-Community Fire Departments. Hamilton County Rescue Department provided rehabilitation for those fighting the fire.

Chief Williams said that the cause of the fire is under investigation. Damages to the building were estimated at $100,000.