COLUMBUS, Ind. — Columbus firefighters were sent to a fire in a two-story single family home in Forest Park Estates at about 5:46 p.m. Wednesday.
A woman at the home had reported a fire in one of the home’s second floor bedrooms at 1028 Junco Drive, said Capt. Mike Wilson, Columbus Fire Department spokesman. She was not injured, Wilson said.
When firefighters arrived they found heavy fire in the structure and the woman told them there was no one else inside the home.
Firefighters entered the ground level of the home, where they encountered heavy smoke conditions. They then went upstairs where they found heavy fire in the bedroom area of the home, Wilson said. Firefighters quickly knocked down the flames while additional crews initiated a search of the residence. A primary and secondary search confirmed that no other occupants were in the home.
Firefighters reported heavy fire damage on the second floor of the residence. Crews removed ceilings and walls to confirm that the fire didn’t have an opportunity to extend into the attic space. To aid in removing high heat and smoke inside the home, firefighters accessed the roof and created a ventilation opening. Ventilation fans were used to expel smoke from the home, Wilson said.
Firefighters are still working to identify a possible cause. Firefighters assisted the family by locating personal effects and removing these items from the home and providing the requested items to the family. Firefighters said that they believe that a total of three adults reside in the home.
Columbus Firefighters contacted the Salvation Army to aid the family with emergency shelter needs. The Salvation Army is providing assistance at this time.
Firefighters estimate that the damages to the home could exceed $100,000, Wilson said. No injuries were reported at the scene.
Agencies that assisted at the scene include the Columbus Police Department, Columbus Regional Health Emergency Medicals Services, Duke Energy and CenterPoint Energy.
