11:23 A.M. UPDATE
A fire at a rental property at 217 N. Ross Street caused extensive damage to the structure Wednesday.
Columbus firefighters were called at 9:11 a.m. after neighbors discovered the fire and called 911. When firefighters arrived, they found a single-story home with heavy fire showing from the front of the residence, said Capt. Mike Wilson, Columbus Fire Department spokesman.
A search of the home’s interior confirmed that no occupants were inside of the residence. With the fire under control, crews began the process of removing ceiling and wall drywall to extinguish flames that had extended into the structure of the home, Wilson said. The home and contents sustained significant damage as a result of the fire.
The damages to the home and contents are estimated at $60,000 and are considered a total loss, Wilson said. The house next door at 211 N. Ross St. sustained damage from the immense heat from the fire, Wilson said. That home’s vinyl siding had begun to melt as a result of radiant heat. Firefighters cooled the area and, after an inspection of 211 N. Ross St., it was determined that the damages were confined to the exterior of that home.
Columbus Fire Department investigators said that 217 N. Ross Street is a rental property and occupants of the home were away when the fire occurred. As fire crews worked to extinguish the fire, an occupant of the home arrived at the scene and experienced a medical emergency. The tenant was transported to the hospital by ambulance for an evaluation. The condition of that individual is unknown, Wilson said.
The cause of fire is currently under investigation. Agencies that assisted at the scene include the Columbus Police Department, Columbus Regional Health Ambulance Service, Columbus City Utilities, Duke Energy and CenterPoint Energy.
ORIGINAL STORY
COLUMBUS, Ind. — Columbus firefighters have been sent to a two-alarm working structure fire at 217 N. Ross St. The fire was reported at about 9:10 a.m.
Dispatchers have informed firefighters they believe the single-story structure has been evacuated. Firefighters reported the front exterior had visible flames showing.
For more on this story, check back here or pick up a Thursday Republic.
