A Sunday night fire in the Stonegate Apartments that displaced 18 adults and children was likely caused by a lightning strike, Columbus firefighters said.
After spending several hours inspecting damage and interviewing witnesses at the apartment complex at 380 Wint Lane, investigators determined the fire originated in the attic space above the second story living space in the two-story apartment building inside the Stonegate complex, Columbus Fire Department spokesman Capt. Mike Wilson said.
The apartments, which have 116 rental units within nine free-standing buildings — is located west of North Marr Road, south of 10th Street and east of Garland Brook Cemetery. In earlier reporting from a fire at the complex in 2016, firefighters said the apartment buildings do not have sprinkler systems because state code requires sprinklers for a three-story or larger apartment complex, but not two-story.
As the flames spread, portions of the roof began to collapse on to the ceiling above the second floor apartment units, Wilson said. The fire eventually progressed into a three-alarm alarm, with five engines, one ladder truck and one rescue squad responding, he said.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
All tenants escaped without any serious injuries, firefighters said. Property damage is estimated at about $500,000 and content loss around $250,000, firefighters said.
When firefighters arrived at 5:45 p.m. Sunday, they started what they described as an aggressive interior attack into the second floor of the building, but low visibility and high heat forced them to pull out of the building and fight the fire defensively, Wilson said. Large streams of water were aimed onto the top of the building after a large portion of the roof had burned away, he said.
With several off-duty firefighters called to the scene, crews battled the fire for approximately two hours before it was finally brought under control, Wilson said.
Of the 21 individuals who received assistance Sunday night from the southeast Indiana chapter of the American Red Cross, approximately eight were children younger than age 18, local Red Cross disaster program specialist Brandy Graham said.
Within the next few days, an arson investigator employed by an insurance company will examine the damage in the apartment complex, Columbus Fire Department investigator Scott Bonnell said. After both public and private investigators exchange information and compare notes, it will be up to the insurance company to make its official determination regarding the cause, Bonnell said.
On Monday, at least three people, including Stonegate Apartments property manager Elizabeth McCollum, said they’ve been assured that lightning sparked the fire.
The other two are a couple who lived in the now-damaged building for the past three years. Prasad and Briya Mathew said they were about two hours away late Sunday afternoon when they received a phone call alerting them about the fire.
After the two rushed back to Columbus, the couple soon discovered they had lost nearly everything. Both said they were told by firefighters the flames were sparked by lightning.
The Mathews, as well as a few other displaced families, were able to obtain temporary lodgings with family and friends, Prasad Mathew said.
Those unable to secure shelter on their own were provided lodgings through the Red Cross, Graham said. The disaster relief organization set up their emergency operations center Sunday evening in the East Columbus Christian Church at the corner of Indiana Avenue and South Marr Road, she said.
By noon Monday, the Red Cross had been in touch with all affected families except for two, Graham said.
“All of these individuals will have a place to stay,” she said. “We’ll keep an eye on all those who were displaced over the next several weeks to make sure they are on their road to recovery, as well as have a place to stay.”
Due to the coronavirus crisis, used items and comfort kits are not being given to displaced families. Instead, the Red Cross has issued “client assistance cards,” which allow families to purchase what emergency supplies they need, Graham said. The amount placed on the card depends on the size of the family, she said.
In addition, Graham said her organization is also working to ensure all displaced individuals have any and all medications they require.
Displaced families can also receive three nights of lodging through the Salvation Army, as well as other assistance if needed and obtainable, according to spokeswoman Nancy Johnson.
Columbus police and Columbus Regional Health EMS assisted at the scene on Sunday.
This is the second major fire at the Stonegate complex since 2016. On June 25, 2016, Columbus firefighters were sent to the complex at 11:30 p.m. and found a two-story building at the back of the apartment complex engulfed in flames.
Twenty-eight residents were displaced in that fire, many of them Cummins’ employees from India.
Firefighters said later that fire may have originated in a small storage building on the south side of the apartment building that caught on fire.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”How to help” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Donations to the American Red Cross can be made online at redcross.org. Checks earmarked for the Southeast Indiana chapter, which includes Bartholomew County, can be mailed to the American Red Cross, 510 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46202.
Contributions can also be sent to the Columbus Salvation Army, 2525 Illinois Ave., Columbus, IN 47201. Checks can be earmarked for Stonegate Apartment fire relief.
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”For more photos” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
For a photo gallery from the scene, see therepublic.com.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
