COLUMBUS, Ind. –Columbus firefighters were sent to 3344 Spring Valley Drive at about 4:15 p.m. Monday on a report of a residential fire.
Columbus police were first to arrive and reported smoke was coming from the two-story Northbrook addition home.
When firefighters arrived on the scene, Columbus Police Officers reported the occupants of the home had escaped the home with several pets, said Capt. Mike Wilson, Columbus Fire Department spokesman.
Columbus firefighters entered the home and found light smoke on the ground floor. Moving to the second floor, firefighters experienced high heat and increased smoke conditions as they found a small fire located in a second floor bedroom, Wilson said.
Using pressurized water can fire extinguishers, firefighter doused the fire within minutes of their arrival. Once the fire was out, crews removed a smoldering mattress and a bedside nightstand from the home and where water was reapplied, Wilson said. Crews applied additional water within the bedroom to address hot spots which included a portion of floor where fire burned a hole near the origin of fire. The fire was confined to the bedroom area.
Columbus Fire Department investigators spoke with the property owner, who had just returned home from attending a community event to discover the home full of smoke. Investigators said that that electrical components, including charging devices, were found near the suspected origin of fire. Investigators believe that fire moved to a nightstand and mattress and the smoldering mattress produced heavy smoke in the upper level of the home, Wilson said. Firefighters said that the fire could have intensified and more damage could have occurred if the discovery of fire had been delayed any longer.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Smoke damage was visible throughout the home. Damage is estimated at $45,000. No injuries were reported at the scene.
Agencies that assisted at the scene include the Columbus Police Department, Columbus Township Fire and Rescue, Columbus Regional Health Emergency Medical Services, Duke Energy, Center Point Energy and the Bartholomew County 911 Emergency Operations Center.
