COLUMBUS, Ind. — Columbus firefighters were sent to Eastlake Woods apartment complex at about 8:32 p.m. Saturday for a fire at 1250 Thornton Court.
Columbus Firefighters found intense flames when they entered the apartment, said Capt. Mike Wilson, Columbus Fire Department spokesman.
All occupants had escaped the smoke-filled building by the time firefighters arrived and investigators said the cause of the fire is under investigation. No injuries were reported.
Upon arrival, the on-scene commander walked around the building and reported fire coming out of a second floor apartment at the rear of the building. As additional firefighters arrived on the scene, the fire attack team advanced into the well involved apartment to battle flames. Crews battled the flames for approximately 20 minutes before the fire was marked under control.
A primary search of the building’s six residential units confirmed that all occupants were out of the building. During the search, one pet cat was located and found to be deceased.
With the fire under control, firefighters began an overhaul of the building, which is the process of searching for any hidden fire in walls and ceilings to ensure the fire was completely extinguished. During the overhaul process, firefighters found and extinguished a hidden area of fire that had extended from the second floor to the third floor. Crews worked on the scene for over four hours before turning the building over to property owners.
The apartment building is comprised of three six-unit adjoining buildings: 1270, 1260 and 1250 Thornton Ct. As a result of the fire, a total of nine units sustained damage. Three units sustained direct fire damage and six units had a combination of smoke and water damage.
The occupants of the nine damaged units are currently displaced. The tenants of the nine unaffected units were permitted to return to their apartments at the conclusion of the fire operation. The displaced tenants were offered assistance by firefighters to help secure any needed emergency housing. All affected tenants declined an immediate need for housing and reported that they would make arrangements with family or friends. Firefighters helped many of the tenants in retrieving items from their apartments before leaving the scene.
Fire investigators said that the fire originated in apartment C at 1250 Thornton Ct. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation. Damage is expected to exceed $300,000.
Agencies that assisted at the scene include the Columbus Police Department, Columbus Regional Health Emergency Medical Service and Columbus City Utilities.
