COLUMBUS, Ind. — Columbus firefighters were called to a working fire at a vacant home at 1207 10th St. at 4:46 a.m. Friday.
When firefighters arrived, flames were visible in the structure. Firefighters utilized forcible entry to gain access to the interior of the home where a primary search revealed the home was vacant.
Crews worked to extinguish flames inside the home while firefighters ventilated the roof to remove heat and smoke from the home’s interior, said Capt. Mike Wilson, Columbus Fire Department spokesman.
A secondary lath and plaster roof was located beneath the shingled roof. After crews punched through the secondary roof, they encountered that the ceiling of the single story home was built of 1 x 6 lumber boards. Firefighters on the interior of the home used a saw to create a ventilation opening from the living space into that attic space. Following extensive ventilation operations, firefighters reported the fire under control within 20 minutes of arrival.
Damage to the homes was most extensive at the rear of the home, Wilson said. Heat, smoke and damages from flames could be seen throughout the approximately 800-square-foot home. Damages are estimated at $50,000. No injuries were reported.
The owner of the property reported to firefighters that the home has been vacant for 5 years and that the home did not have utility services. Firefighters stated there was no indication that the home was occupied during the investigation of this morning’s fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Agencies that assisted at the scene include the Columbus Police Department, Columbus Regional Health Emergency Medical Service, Duke Energy, CenterPoint Energy and Columbus City Utilities.
