Fire destroys storage shed in Shadow Creek Farms

Photo provided Columbus firefighters work at the scene of a storage shed fire in Shadow Creek Farms Friday morning.

Columbus Fire Department investigators were unable to determine the cause of a Friday morning fire that destroyed a back-yard storage building in Shadow Creek Farms.

When firefighters arrived on the scene, the plastic building was completely burned away and the contents of the building destroyed, said Capt. Mike Wilson, Columbus Fire Department spokesman.

Firefighters were sent to 3210 Parkview Drive at about 10:30 a.m. Friday. Bartholomew County Emergency Operations Dispatch Center received a report that several explosions were occurring within the storage building.

When firefighters arrived on the scene, the building had burned away and the items within the building were still on fire, Wilson said. Firefighters heard the sound of aerosol cans exploding from within the debris. Firefighters pulled a fire hose to the rear of the residence and extinguished the flames within a short amount of time using a minimal amount of water. The fire was isolated to the storage building and did not cause damage to the home.

Columbus Fire Department Investigators spoke with the property owners and inquired if any items in the building were capable of creating a heat source. According to fire investigators, no persons had been in the building during the last 24 hours and no known heat sources were identified. Investigators combed through the debris to look for any indication of fire cause. No cause was determined due in part to the amount of fire damage and the destruction of the building materials.

Damage to the building and contents is estimated at $4,000.

Agencies that assisted at the scene include the Columbus Police Department and the Columbus Regional Health Emergency Medical Service. The official cause of fire is listed as undetermined. No injuries were reported.