COLUMBUS, Ind. — A Central Avenue home is considered a total loss following an early morning fire that fire investigators believe to be accidental.
Cause of the fire is suspected to be a heating lamp being used to warm baby chicks, firefighters said.
At approximately 4:10 a.m. Saturday, Columbus firefighters responded to 2676 Central Ave. after one of the home’s occupants awoke to an odor of smoke within the single family home, said Capt. Mike Wilson, Columbus Fire Department spokesman.
A female occupant told firefighters that the smell of smoke led to the discovery of a small fire located within an enclosed breezeway leading from the home to the garage. When firefighters arrived at the scene, they found the home had been evacuated but flames had grown to the point of engulfing the breezeway in flames with fire extending into the residence, Wilson said.
Firefighters attacked the fire from the exterior of the home before transitioning into the interior. As crews battled flames, additional firefighters conducted a search of the home. Firefighters located a cat inside the home and removed the pet to the exterior of the home. Firefighters said that once outside of the home, the cat ran to a neighboring yard and appeared to be unharmed. The interior search concluded with a report that the home was clear of occupants. Firefighters battled the flames from approximately 30 minutes before the fire was marked under control, Wilson said.
Homeowner Diana McGrady told firefighters that she was sleeping, when her niece woke her up to report that the home was on fire, Wilson said. McGrady told firefighters that she and her niece quickly escaped the home and called 9-1-1. McGrady told firefighters that in the area where the fire was located, there were baby chickens that were situated under a heating lamp.
Columbus Fire Department investigators believe that an extension cord was used to power the heating lamp. As firefighters and investigators worked at the scene, McGrady and her niece escaped a light rain after Columbus Police Department officers offered a patrol car as refuge from the elements.
With the only the clothing articles that the two women wore as they escaped the blaze, firefighters collected a few salvageable items from the home including shoes, shirts and pants. Firefighters also located a cell phone and two pairs of reading glasses from within the heavily damaged home. Damage to the home was significant and firefighters believe the home and contents may be considered a total loss estimated at approximately $200,000, Wilson said. McGrady told firefighters that the home is insured.
Due to the damage, the family was displaced and is being assisted by the Salvation Army. The fire investigation is ongoing at this time.
Agencies that assisted at the scene include Duke Energy, CenterPoint Energy, Columbus City Utilities, Columbus Police Department and Columbus Regional Health Emergency Medical Services. No injuries were reported at the scene.
