4:26 p.m. update
COLUMBUS, Ind. — A test vehicle on fire inside the Cummins Tech Center forced the evacuation of the facility and prompted a full response of emergency responders from numerous agencies. The fire was contained to a test cell and quickly extinguished soon after firefighters arrived on the scene.
At approximately 11:53 a.m. Monday, Columbus firefighters and Columbus Township firefighters responded to the Cummins Tech Center, 1900 McKinley Ave. for a report of a fire inside the building.
Columbus Fire Department Engine Co. 3 was the first to arrive on the scene and reported to incoming responders that smoke was visible from the roof top ventilation system and a full evacuation of the building appeared to be underway, said Capt. Mike Wilson, Columbus Fire Department spokesman. With little additional information on the nature or location of the fire within the building, the first arriving firefighters were met by Cummins Emergency Response Team (ERT) members who directed firefighters to the area of the fire and shared that a gasoline-fueled truck with approximately 100 gallons of fuel was burning within a test cell.
Using the information provided by the ERT members, firefighters entered the test cell where they found virtually zero visibility and high heat. Within a few moments of searching the test cell, firefighters saw the glow of a fire and began to attack the flames. The fire was fully extinguished within minutes of firefighters entering the test cell.
Cummins representatives shared with Columbus Fire Department investigators that the fire occurred during the testing of the vehicle. When technicians discovered flames, they reported the fire to ERTs and Security. Once this notification was made, the facility’s evacuation alarm was activated and firefighters were dispatched to the scene. The fire was confined to the testing cell and caused significant damage to the prototype vehicle. Smoke and water damage was visible within the test cell. No damage estimate is available.
Prior to providing an all-clear for the employees to re-enter the building, firefighters used air monitoring meters to confirm no hazardous gasses had entered other portions of the building. The fire operation was terminated at approximately 1:10 p.m. 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 and the Bartholomew County Emergency Operations Center.
12:16 p.m. update
COLUMBUS, Ind. — Columbus firefighters are on the scene of a vehicle fire inside the ground floor of the Cummins Tech Center in downtown Columbus, with the fire being extinguished in about 10 minutes.
Capt. Mike Wilson, Columbus Fire Department spokesman, said three Columbus Fire Department Engines, 1, 2 and 3, Columbus Fire Department Truck 1, Squad 5 and the Columbus Township ladder truck responded to the scene at about noon.
Columbus Regional Hospital Emergency Services is also at the scene along with Columbus police.
No injuries have been reported and the building has been evacuated, Wilson said.
Firefighters are now ventilating the building and assessing the scene.
This story will be updated.
ORIGINAL STORY
COLUMBUS, Ind. — Multiple Columbus engine companies and firefighters are being sent to the Cummins Tech Center in downtown Columbus on a report of a fire.
The dispatch was made at about noon Monday.
The Republic has a reporter and photographer headed to the scene.
This story will be updated.
