Courtesy - CFD.
COLUMBUS, Ind. – A house on Central Avenue in Columbus is a total loss following an early Saturday morning fire. Investigators believe it to be accidental and say the blaze may have been associated with a heating lamp used to warm baby chickens.
The Columbus Fire Department (CFD) responded to 2676 Central Ave. at 4:10 a.m. after a resident woke up to an odor of smoke. A female occupant told firefighters the smell of smoke led to the discovery of a small fire within an enclosed breezeway from the home to the garage.
When crews arrived, they found the home had been evacuated but flames had grown to engulf the breezeway, with fire extending into the house. They did remove a cat that seemed to be unharmed.
Firefighters battled the flames for about 30 minutes before the blaze was marked under control.
Homeowner Diana McGrady said that she was sleeping when her niece woke her up to report that the home was on fire. She told fire officials that in the area where the fire was located, there were baby chickens that were situated under a heating lamp.
CFD investigators said damage to the residence was significant and firefighters believe the home and contents may be a total loss, estimated at $200,000.
The family was displaced and is being assisted by the Salvation Army. The investigation is ongoing. No Injuries were reported.
Courtesy – CFD.
