Staff Reports
Fire damaged a home at 8821 Shawnee Drive Wednesday night.
German Township Volunteer firefighters, along with Columbus Township and Harrison Township firefighters were sent to the home after the homeowner arrived home and thought he saw “fog” near the garage.
After realizing it was smoke, he called the 911. Deputy Chief Jacob Goodin arrived on the scene in six minutes and found smoke coming from the garage and attic of the house.
German Township Engine 81 arrived nine minutes after the dispatch and entered the residence through the front door. They found a light haze of smoke through out the house. They opened the garage door and the attack crew saw fire and heard a loud explosion then saw flames start running up the wall and across the ceiling, quickly working its way towards them.
Firefighters extinguished the fire using about 50 gallons of water. The fire was contained to the garage. Firefighters opened the ceiling in one room inside the residence to ensure the fire had not spread into the attic. It is believed that the explosion was a result of a suspected backdraft, after the fire had used most of the available oxygen in the garage. As firefighters opened the door searching for the fire, oxygen was able to enter and caused the fire to accelerate rapidly causing the four panel garage door to blow out towards the street.
The house did have working smoke detectors which were sounding.
Also on the scene was Columbus Regional Health EMS ambulance and Bartholomew County Sheriff deputies.
The Bartholomew County fire investigator estimated the damage to the residence at $50,000 and $30,000 in damage to contents. The cause of the fire is still under investigation but appears accidental, firefighters said.
