December 25, 1973

Damage is heavy in Christmas Day fire

       A  late morning fire at the Mrs. Karen Dosch residence, one mile west of State Road 135 on Smith Valley Road, caused very heavy damage. The fire was discovered around 11 a.m. by Mrs. Dosch, who was at home with her daughter Kimberly,2, and her sister-in-law Mrs. Agnes Dosch. Heavy smoke damage was suffered throughout the house but the most severe damage was believed to be in the front room where the fire started. the fire reportedly started in a chair in the front room, from there it spread to the adjacent Christmas tree and then to the curtains on the front windows. The fire is believed to have been caused when lights from a movie camera outfit were placed on the chair after taking Christmas morning movies. Two White River township firemen responding quickly to the scene are credited with keeping the damage from being increased. The firemen began containing the fire with extinguishers until more men and equipment arrived. Firemen were on the scene for approximately one hour to assure that the fire was completely out. A cat belonging to the Dosch family had been reported left in the house at the time of the fire. Firemen searched the house and found the cat alive, behind the front room couch. The fire caused approximately $8,500 damage to the home that was estimated to be worth about $29,000. On Christmas Eve, firemen responded to a call for first aid on Old Smith Valley Road in Smith Valley.  (Reprinted with permission of the Daily Journal)
 

           
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