Deputy uses extinguisher, water hose, to put out fire

Bartholomew County Sheriff Department Sgt. Andrew Dougan extinguished a wooden deck fire believed to have been caused by an improperly discarded cigarette. Submitted photo

Staff Reports

A Bartholomew County sheriff’s deputy helped Columbus firefighters prevent major fire damage to a home in the 6000 block of Prairie Stream Way, caused by an improperly discarded cigarette.

Firefighters were sent to a possible house fire at 3:55 p.m. Monday, said Capt. Mike Wilson, Columbus Fire Department spokesman. A resident of 6039 Prairie Stream Way had discovered a fire on the wooden patio deck at the back of the home, Wilson said.

As firefighters were being sent to the home, Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Sgt. Andrew Dougan, who was traveling north on Talley Road when the dispatch went out, said he heard the fire call being dispatched about the same time he witnessed smoke coming from the rear of the Prairie Stream Way home, Wilson said.

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Dougan used a dry powder fire extinguisher in an attempt to put out the fire, Wilson said. After discharging the extinguisher, Dougan reported to emergency operations center dispatchers that the fire was still burning. Dougan then located a garden hose and fully extinguished the remaining flames. When firefighters arrived on the scene, they found Dougan applying water to the smoldering deck, Wilson said.

Firefighters reported that the most significant damage was located approximately 2 feet way from the home, where firefighters found a portion of the deck had completely burned through. Investigators determined that a 24-year-old male was smoking on the deck and believed that the cigarette was extinguished when it was discarded on to the deck. The male said that about 20 minutes later he detected an odor of smoke and found the deck was on fire, Wilson said.

“Sgt. Dougan was simply in the right place at the right time, and through his quick actions the fire was unable to reach the home and cause further damage,” Wilson said.

The cause of the fire has been ruled accidental. Damage to the deck is estimated at about $500. No injuries were reported at the scene.

The Columbus Fire Department reminds residents that all discarded smoking material should be deposited in a non-combustible container, and that the container should be stored away from other combustible materials. Columbus police assisted at the scene.