12:50 P.M. UPDATE
Columbus Firefighters rescued two adults, three cats and five kittens trapped in a second-floor apartment this morning in the 800 block of Reed St.
Firefighters were called to 807½ Reed Street at approximately 8:14 a.m. for a report of a residential fire with flames showing. As firefighters were responding to the scene, additional reports indicated that the occupants of the apartment were trapped.
Columbus firefighters arrived on the scene and were met by Columbus police officers, already on the scene, who told firefighters that two adults were located in an upstairs window and that the only exit of the apartment was heavily involved with fire. As additional fire apparatus were responding, the initial arriving units deployed a portable ground ladder to the second floor apartment window where firefighters aided a man and a woman out of the home and to an awaiting medical crew from Columbus Regional Health Emergency Medical Service. Both adults were uninjured and received a medical assessment due to the possibility of smoke inhalation. Both occupants were assessed at the scene and declined transport.
Fire suppression teams then moved to the rear of the building where they found heavy fire at the second floor entrance to the apartment. Climbing an exterior wooden staircase leading to the apartment, firefighters directed water streams onto the flames. With a reduction of fire on the exterior of the home, crews advanced into the second floor apartment to continue extinguishing the fire.
An additional fire suppression crew entered the ground level apartment and reported an absence of fire and occupants. The ground level apartment was under renovation and not occupied by tenants. The fire extended into the attic space of the structure and required ventilation of the roof. Heavy fire damage was visible from the second level balcony entrance, essentially cutting off any possibility of an escape route for the occupants of the apartment.
As a search of the apartment was conducted, firefighters located three adult cats and 5 kittens. Firefighters removed each pet from the apartment. The cats received oxygen therapy from Columbus Regional Heath Emergency Medical Service. All pets were reunited with the owners after being assessed and are doing well.
Richard Burton, age 39, told investigators that he could smell smoke in the apartment but was unable to locate a source inside the apartment. Burton said that he opened the apartment door to the patio area and saw flames outside the apartment. Burton said he alerted the other occupant, who called 911. Burton said that the flames were too large to go out the door, so he and the female occupant closed themselves inside a bedroom and opened the window to alert responders. Burton added that he also closed the door to the bathroom, which contained several of the cats that were rescued by firefighters. Firefighters believe the action of closing the doors within the apartment played a significant role in providing a survivable space before rescuers arrived on the scene.
Columbus Fire Chief Andy Lay remarked that communication and coordination between agencies was a crucial element to the successful rescue efforts and the wellbeing of the occupants.
“Our Police Department did a fantastic job of relaying critical information to our arriving firefighters as to the location of the trapped persons. When our firefighters completed the rescue, Columbus Regional Health Emergency Medical Service was right there to address any medical or transport needs.” Lay attributed a heavy departmental focus of training in both fire ground command and search and rescue to the success of today’s incident. “We perform like we train,” he said.
Damage to the second floor apartment were extensive and included damage to the attic and roof truss structures as well as the wooden staircase and patio area of the exterior second floor apartment. Water damage was visible on the first floor unoccupied apartment. Damages to the property and contents are estimated at $90,000. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Due to the damages, the occupants have been displaced and are receiving assistance for the Salvation Army. The apartment was equipped with working smoke alarms.
Agencies that assisted at the scene include the Columbus Police Department, Columbus City Utilities, CenterPoint Energy, Duke Energy and Columbus Regional Health Emergency Medical Service.
ORIGINAL STORY
COLUMBUS, Ind. — Columbus firefighters are at the scene of a house fire in the 800 block of Reed Street. Multiple ambulances were also dispatched. For more on this story, check back here or pick up a Thursday Republic.
