January 21, 1984

Family calls for aid before fleeing flames in their home

       With flames chewing quickly through their northern Johnson County home, the Joe Egenolf family was able to telephone the fire department and then escape before the blaze destroyed the house.  Damage to the home, which sits on a hill off Ind. 135 in White River Township about 5 miles south of the Marion-Johnson county line, as estimated at $100,000.  When damage to contents is totaled today, the estimate is expected to go much higher.  Mr. and Mrs. Egenolf, their three sons and a daughter-in-law were able to flee the house without injury, but the family dog was killed.  White River Volunteer Fire Capt. Howard J. Bennis said the dispatcher who took the telephone call from the Egenolf residence said she could hear flames crackling in the background.  “It took the owner by surprise.  He didn’t have time to get his shoes and socks on,” Bennis said. The fire, which was reported to the fire department at 5:26 p.m. Saturday, started in an unoccupied bedroom on the north end of the one-story house.  No cause for the fire was established. The first call for backup from neighboring departments went out at 5:36 p.m.  Eventually eight Marion and Johnson county fire departments sent firefighters and equipment.  Bennis said the firemen faced “a major water supply problem.”  Firefighters were able to thaw out one hydrant, but water had to be pumped up the 400-foot driveway.  See a related story HERE.  (Reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)

  
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