Design inside the addition designed by James Paris his partner the late Nolan Bingham of Paris/Bingham Partnership for the Columbus Fire Department, Central Fire Station 1, 1101 Jackson Street, Columbus, Indiana, Carla Clark | For The Republic
COLUMBUS, Ind. — Columbus firefighters responded to a Thursday morning residential fire in the 400 block of South Cherry Street. Firefighters were called to 492 S. Cherry St. at approximately 3:32 a.m. after the rental property tenant discovered smoke in the home and called 911, said Capt. Mike Wilson, Columbus Fire Department spokesman.
Firefighters arrived on the scene and spoke with an adult male who identified himself as the sole occupant of the home. The resident escaped the home without injury prior to the arrival of firefighters, Wilson said.
Firefighters entered the home and discovered a fire in the area of the kitchen ceiling which included visible fire damage to ceiling tiles, insulation and ceiling joist. Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames. After the fire was extinguished, crews removed adjacent ceiling tiles and determined that the fire did not extend further through the home beyond the original area of origin.
After the fire was under control, crews utilized ventilation fans to ventilate smoke from the home. An investigation of the fire indicated that a ceiling mounted light fixture showed signs of electrical arcing which spread to the ceiling and into that attic space. Firefighter isolated the power supply to the kitchen’s electrical circuits.
Damages to the home are estimated at $3,500. No injuries were reported at the scene.
No working smoke detectors were found in the home. The Columbus Fire Department would like to remind area residents of the importance of working smoke alarms as a tool for early fire detection. Having a working smoke alarm in the home will increase the occupant’s ability to survive a residential fire. The Columbus Fire Department also recommends that a fire escape plan is created and practiced by all occupants of a home to reduce injury or death cause be a domestic fire.
