COLUMBUS, Ind. – A residential fire at 217 N. Ross St. on Wednesday morning caused major damage to the house. The Columbus Fire Department (CFD) responded after neighbors discovered the blaze and called 9-1-1.
When firefighters arrived at 9:10 a.m., they found a single-story home with heavy fire showing in the front. Crews attacked the flames and quickly brought the fire under control. A search confirmed there was no one inside.
The damages to the home and contents are estimated at $60,000 and the residence is considered a total loss. A neighbor’s house, at 211 N. Ross St., sustained vinyl siding damage from the immense heat of the fire. Damages were confined to the exterior of that home.
CFD investigators said the house at 217 N. Ross St. is a rental property and the renters were away at the time of the blaze. As crews were extinguishing the fire, an occupant arrived home, experienced a medical emergency, and was transported to the hospital. The tenant’s condition is unknown.
The cause of the fire has not been determined and the investigation is ongoing.