COLUMBUS, Ind. – A Columbus home sustained fire damage Monday, June 30, after the owner used a liquid propane heater in the residence to remove bugs from the house.
The Columbus Fire Department (CFD) was called to the 2900 block of Streamside Drive at around 3:30 p.m. The homeowner had returned to his residence and found smoke inside. Upon arrival, firefighters reported smoke visible from the exterior. All occupants had already evacuated and were uninjured.
As an interior fire attack team pushed into the home, they found a closed bedroom door and noticed that a liquid propane tank was outside the room with a supply hose leading under the closed bedroom door. Finding that the tank was open, CFD closed the valve, opened the door, and applied water to the smoke-filled bedroom. Inside the bedroom, firefighters found burning clothing and paper products near a portable propane heater.
The homeowner explained to firefighters that he was using the heater in a “Do It Yourself” effort to kill bugs in the bedroom. He told fire investigators that he had started the heater and then left the residence. When he returned, he noticed an odor of smoke when he entered the garage, and then saw smoke upon entering the living space.
CFD has ruled the fire accidental. Due to the damage, the home is currently uninhabitable. The American Red Cross is assisting the family with emergency services.
