April 23, 1999

Blaze destroys home

       Two women escaped a house fire Thursday afternoon in White River Township.  Firefighters were still trying to determine the cause of the blaze that destroyed the home and most of the family’s belongings.  White River Township firefighters responded to the fire at about 12:43 p.m. at the home of Bill and Carolyn Dance, 5625 Gallagher Drive, near State Road 37 and Bluff Road.  A 911 call was placed after Carolyn Dance smelled smoke and then saw flames in the garage, which was about the same time the family’s smoke detector went off. Dance got herself and her mother-in-law to safety, said Gail Wayman, a family member. No one was injured in the blaze, but the family cat died in the fire.  White River Township Division Chief Eric Brown said the home was a total loss. Firefighters believe the fire started in or near the laundry room.  As firefighters sifted through the rubble, family members gathered outside watching.  Many firefighters helped throw clothes out windows; the clothes were immediately taken to a dry cleaner. The family had insurance.  Firefighters also carried out belongings that could be salvaged, including several wood curio cabinets with china dolls inside.  Firefighters from Greenwood, Perry Township, Avon and Madison Township in Morgan County also responded to the blaze.  Brown said a plywood floor in the attic deterred firefighters somewhat. If it had been drywall, firefighters could have gotten through the attic more quickly and aimed more water on the fire, he said.  Brown said it took about 15 minutes to break the plywood and get to the fire.  The family is staying with relatives.  In the second photo below, Avon firefighter Dave Jackson collapses from exhaustion in the front yard after battling the fire.  (Reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)

  
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