COLUMBUS, Ind. — Columbus firefighters responded to 2000 block of Sumpter Trail on Tuesday night after a fire was reported in an attached garage.
The fire was reported at 6:54 p.m. and upon arrival, firefighters learned the home had been evacuated. Using a hose line, firefighters quickly extinguished the fire with a small amount of water.
Investigators spoke with the homeowner and learned that the fire began when a cardboard box was placed on top of a hot cooking stove inside the home. When the box began to burn, the homeowner attempted to remove the box to the garage. After making it to the garage the flames caused the homeowner to drop the box which then ignited materials within the garage. The homeowner and a neighbor attempted to extinguish the fire with a dry chemical fire extinguisher prior to the arrival of firefighters.
After extinguishment, firefighters removed portions of garage wall and section of the ceiling to confirm that the fire had not extended outside the garage. Damages to the home are estimated at $10,000. The cause of the fire has been ruled accidental.
Agencies that assisted at the scene include the Columbus Police Department, Columbus Regional Health Ambulance Service, Columbus City Utilities, CenterPoint Energy and Duke Energy.
