October 30, 2006

Fire heavily damages home

       A late night fire in Smith Valley destroyed a garage and heavily damaged a nearby home yesterday.  White River Township firefighters responded to the home in the the 4800 block of Welton Street shortly after 11 p.m. last evening.  First arriving crews reported a heavily-involved garage fire that had broken through the roof and was spreading to other nearby structures, including a single-family home.  Additional manpower and equipment was called in from Greenwood, Bargersville, and New Whiteland fire departments to assist at the scene as well as provide coverage for additional calls.  Because the fire was well-advanced and had already destroyed most of the garage, firefighters initially began protecting the exposures surrounding the fully-involved garage.  Fire was already rapidly spreading through the attic of the home that was about four feet from the garage, according to Captain Mark Hart, who was the Incident Commander.  Firefighters began their efforts there after performing a search for any victims.  Fortunately, neighbors had alerted the home's occupants and they were safely outside prior to the fire department's arrival.  As additional crews began arriving at the scene, multiple simultaneous operations were put in place to protect other nearby structures including another garage and home that were immediately adjacent to the garage on fire.

         Complicating matters were power lines leading to the home that had burned and collapsed to the ground, causing a potential hazard until the power company could secure them.  "Our first concern was making sure no one was in the structure and keeping people away from the power lines", Captain Hart said.  "We then moved to the surrounding structures in an effort to prevent any further damage", he added.  In all, twenty-three firefighters from White River Township and another twelve from assisting agencies helped control the fire.  Although the fire was brought under control in less than thirty minutes, firefighters remained on the scene for nearly four hours providing salvage and overhaul operations while investigators worked to determine the cause.

         The fire caused around $90,000 in damage to all of the structures involved.  Fortunately however, no one was injured in the blaze.  The home's occupants were staying with neighbors until more permanent arrangements could be made.  The official cause was still under investigation at press time, however early reports appear to be pointing toward an accidental origin.
 

           

           
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