March 27, 2004

Fire leaves family homeless

       A family of four was left homeless Friday when a fire destroyed their Bargersville home.  Fire investigators believe a child accidentally started the fire while playing with a lighter in a bedroom, according to Mike Pruitt, division chief of the Bargersville Fire Department.  Firefighters received the call at 7:38 a.m. and arrived one minute later to find flames shooting out the back of the ranch-style home at 90 N. Indiana St. in Bargersville. The blaze spread into the attic, causing its floor and ceiling to collapse.  Crystal McClinick and her children, 4-year-old twins and her 6-year-old son, escaped the fire without injury.  McClinick and her three children are staying at a relative’s home and being assisted by Red Cross. McClinick wasn’t available for comment Friday.  The fire spread to the attic while 10 firefighters were inside, and the ceiling collapsed seconds after they vacated the house.  Twenty-five firefighters spent more than an hour bringing the fire under control. The 80-year-old home was owned by Richard Perry. Damage was estimated at $130,000. The home was insured.  White River Township, Greenwood and Franklin firefighters assisted the Bargersville Fire Department. Trafalgar was on stand-by to take any other calls in the Bargersville district.

    
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