A fire substantially damaged a home on Dodson Avenue Thursday night, but the three adults who lived there escaped safely, according to the Chattanooga Fire Department.

The fire department responded about 11 p.m. to a fire alarm at 4000 Dodson Ave.

Smoke and flames were visible when the first firefighters arrived on the seen, according to Capt. Carlos Hampton. Firefighters controlled the fire quickly, but the damage was “substantial,” estimated at about $40,000, according to a department news release.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.