July 22, 2005

Blaze damages Brentridge home

       The White River Township Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a house fire in the area of Foxmoor Place in the Brentridge subdivision on Thursday night.  When firefighters arrived at the scene, located at 4617 Foxmoor Place, heavy fire conditions existed throughout the attic of the single-story residence.  A quick and coordinated response by firefighters permitted a rapid extinguishment of the fire, however, firefighters were on the scene for over three hours making sure all of the hot spots were fully mitigated.  Firefighters needed to remove almost all of the cellulose-type insulation from the attic.  "We have to be careful on this type of fire because cellulose insulation can smolder for days if it's not fully extinguished," said the department's Fire Marshal, Eric Brown.

         Investigators later determined that lightning had struck the house at the roofline and chimney on the rear of the structure.  The strike also traveled in through metal roof vents and carried down into the furnace.  The resulting fire traveled along the home's duct work causing extensive fire damage throughout the attic.  "I heard it hit and knew it was real close," said the homeowner following the incident.  "My lights started flickering on and off and my sprinkler system started watering the lawn.  It was only a minute later I started smelling smoke and called 911," he added.

        Firefighters all around the northern part of the county were spread thin following a tornadic thunderstorm that slammed into the area causing multiple lightning strikes and fires to several homes and utility poles.  Damage to the Brentridge home was estimated to be in excess of $100,000.  The homeowner is staying with neighbors and the home was insured.

           

          
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