March 30, 1981

Fire destroys barn, autos

       Two White River Township firefighters were overcome by smoke Thursday while battling a barn fire at the Tim Shirley residence, 1506 W. Smith Valley Road, Greenwood. The barn, which contained four Chevrolet Corvette car bodies, was a total loss. The loss was estimated at $10,000. Bob Henry, Assistant Chief, and Scott Christy, a fire cadet, inhaled smoke and fumes from the burning fiberglass car bodies while fighting the fire, according to authorities. Henry was treated at the scene and Christy was taken to St. Francis Hospital Center, Beech Grove, where he was treated and released. The fire broke out about 4:45 p.m. Thursday when debris from a trash fire blew into the barn and ignited the blaze, according to the fire department. Units from the Greenwood, Perry Township and Bargersville Volunteer Fire Departments assisted White River in extinguishing the blaze. “It went quick” said Shirley. He estimated the fire took less than five minutes to consume the barn. Firefighters battled the blaze for three hours. The White River Department was called back at 11:45 p.m. Thursday when railroad ties next to the barn rekindled.  (Reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)

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