5 p.m. update
As many as 11 people were displaced during a large fire at a multi-family housing complex in Columbus Wednesday morning.
No one was injured during the 10:54 a.m. fire in Building 17 of the Two Worlds Condominiums, Columbus firefighters said.
With four two-story condos, Building 17 is located at Abundance and Prosperity drives, between Midway Street and Beam Road, east of National Road.
On the west side of the building, remodeling contractor Kenan Al-Husseini was working on the main level of 2065 Abundance Drive, occupied by James and Misty Curry. That’s when he saw a small amount of smoke coming out of a wall dividing the condo from 2055 Abundance Drive and went next door to warn them.
The remodeler, who turned off all power to the Curry residence, ran to the adjacent condo to the south occupied by Amanda Hawn and Trapper Boght, located at 2055 Abundance St. By then, the adults were already outside. According to Hawn, her 10-year-old daughter, Ali, saw what she described as fire coming out of a wall. Ali and another relative, Christine Campbell, made sure everybody was awake before evacuating their home.
After making sure the Curry’s dog was outside, Al-Husseini went to the other side of the building where two other condos were located. He alerted Tish Terry of 2050 Miracle Drive, who got her two daughters and three cats outside to safety. The owner of the fourth condo, Katherine Thweatt, was in California when the fire broke out.
Smoke and a small amount of flame was seen by a witness behind a fenced-in patio area of Hawn’s apartment before the fire suddenly shot up quickly to the second floor.
Once the fire climbed up to the top of the building, the winds quickly fanned the flames and caused them to spread across the building’s roof, firefighter Doug Hollenbeck said. Firefighters say at least 65% of the roof was destroyed.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, Columbus Fire inspector Scott Bonnell said. However, Hawn said a firefighter told her it appears to have started in the vicinity of a fuse box.
The building was declared a total loss by Columbus firefighters, who used two 75-foot ladder trucks to spray water onto the flames. However, hot spots continued to flare up for about two hours after first responders arrived.
For more on this story, including more photos, see Thursday’s Republic.
12:15 p.m. update
COLUMBUS, Ind. — Columbus firefighters now have a multi-alarm fire at the Two Worlds Condominum complex at Abundance Drive and Prosperity Drive under control, although they are continuing to work at the scene.
No injuries have been reported.
The fire involved four two-story condos in what is known as Building 17 in the Two Worlds Complex. The brick and frame structure is as least 50 years old.
The fire was reported just before 11 a.m. when a contractor working on remodeling one of the condos noticed smoke coming through a wall as he worked at 2065 Abundance Drive. Fire was also spotted in an outdoor porch fenced-in area.
The fire is believed to have started in a condo at 2055 Abundance Drive, which is occupied by two adults and two children, who were not home when the fire was reported.
Because of wind, the fire shot up to the roof of the structure almost immediately, causing the need for two 70-foot ladder trucks to be used to pour water on the roof after firefighters arrived. A video by Photo Editor Mike Wolanin of the initial scene showing fire through the roof is available at The Republic’s Facebook page.
Another condo in the four-condo structure, 2060 Miracle Drive, was vacant while the fourth was believed to be empty because the occupant is out of town.
A total of 11 people are believed to have been displaced by the fire.
For more on this story, check back here or pick up a Thursday Republic.
ORIGINAL STORY
COLUMBUS, Ind. — Columbus firefighters and police are at the scene of a structure fire at Abundance Drive and Prosperity Drive in Columbus, which was reported just before 11 a.m.
Multiple engine companies were called the scene and thick black smoke is coming from the structure.
Firefighters are referring to the structure as “Two Worlds” which is the Two Worlds condominium complex.
Other fire engine companies have been moved to Station 1 to cover regular calls within the city of Columbus. The Columbus Fire Department is also requesting assistance from Columbus Township firefighters to cover city calls while they are at the structure fire.
Roads including Midway Street are being closed off due to the fire.
For more on this story, check back here or see Thursday’s Republic.
