Columbus firefighters apply water to hot spots at an early Sunday morning building fire. Courtesy - CFD
COLUMBUS, Ind. – An investigation to determine the cause of the devastating fire on 5th Street in downtown Columbus over the weekend remains ongoing, according to the Columbus Fire Department (CFD).
Personnel from the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s office and CFD worked at 422 5th Street for approximately eight hours on Sunday, sifting through debris in an area investigators believe to be the origin of the fire, at the back street level of the building, per CFD’s Capt. Mike Wilson. Ultimately, two portions of the building at 422 5th Street collapsed during the fire.
Over a million gallons of water flowed, nearly 8500 gallons per minute at some points, in an effort to stop the blaze. Three firefighters sustained minor injuries but returned to the scene to work in frigid temperatures. One CFD engine was damaged by the partial building collapse and is temporarily out of service.
K9s searched the area of origin and found no human remains, according to the fire department. Due to structural damage and concerns over another building collapse, investigators are limiting the area of the fire investigation to the street-level portion of the building believed to be the origin of the blaze.
Fire separation walls between 440 5th Street and 422 5th Street confined fire damage to the latter. The 440 5th Street building sustained only water and smoke damage. People with businesses located at 440 5th Street were able to assess damages and take items from office spaces over the weekend. Electric and water utilities are expected to remain out of service until life safety and building fire protection systems can be assessed and repaired, according to authorities.
Anyone with information on the December 3 fire should contact CFD investigators at 812-376-2583.
