Courtesy-Columbus Fire Department
COLUMBUS, Ind. – The Columbus Fire Department (CFD) responded to the 400 block of 5th Street for a commercial building fire on Saturday at around 11:50 p.m., after a passerby discovered flames and called 9-1-1.
Firefighters arrived within minutes and reported a well-involved blaze at the rear of 440 5th St., per CFD’s Capt. Mike Wilson. When crews began to deploy firefighting hand lines toward the rear of the building, a portion of a single-story structure collapsed. As more firefighters arrived and an initial attack commenced, it was determined the fire had spread to the rear of 422 5th St.
Crews entered 422 5th St. to search for occupants and encountered high heat and heavy smoke conditions, per CFD. As they searched the interior, conditions inside deteriorated rapidly. With an increase in visible fire viewed from the outside and changing smoke conditions, the on-scene command ordered all firefighters out of the buildings for an attack on the fire from the exterior.
Once outside, firefighters used both hand-line fire hoses and elevated water streams from aerial ladder trucks. As extinguishment efforts continued, a large portion of the third story façade of 422 5th Street collapsed onto 5th Street, narrowly missing firefighters below, according to Capt. Wilson. As a result of the collapse, a large amount of debris landed on the ladder of Columbus Fire Engine #2, which was directing a water stream into upper-floor windows. Crews returned the ladder to the street level and removed bricks and building materials. No firefighters were on the ladder at the time of the collapse. As a result of the damage to Engine #2, it was removed from service.
Working in freezing temperatures, firefighters gained control of the fire in approximately four hours. A downtown business, Realty One, 436 Washington Street, opened their business to firefighters as a warming shelter and offered coffee to the ice-covered responders. The Salvation Army responded to the scene as well to provide nutritional support and additional beverages to firefighters.
Due to flame impingement on power lines, the electric power service to a portion of the downtown area was discontinued. Authorities say 5th Street will be closed to traffic, between Washington and Franklin Streets, for an undetermined period of time.
The initial search of 422 5th St. and 440 5th St. indicated that the two properties were unoccupied. According to management, both are commercial office buildings with no residential occupancies. They house several businesses including the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, Bailey and Wood Financial Group, Arnholt and Staggs Law Office, and TD Advertising.
CFD says about 40 Columbus firefighters worked to control the blaze, including six off-duty men and women called in to assist. Additional ladder trucks were also requested from Seymour and Hope.
Three Columbus firefighters sustained slight injuries from falling at the scene, Capt. Mike Wilson said. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation and damage estimates are undetermined at this time, according to authorities.
Debris covers 5th Street after a partial building collapse occurred at a commercial building fire in downtown Columbus Sunday morning. Courtesy – CFD.
Columbus firefighters apply water to hot spots at an early Sunday morning building fire. Courtesy – CFD
Columbus Firefighter Jarrad Mullis shares information with firefighters at the scene. Courtesy – CFD
