EDINBURGH — German Township Volunteer Fire Department, with Clifford and Edinburgh fire departments responded to a house fire reported at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the 4500 block of West Newton Drive in the Pleasant View Addition.
A Bartholomew County Sheriff’s deputy reported to firefighters that smoke was billowing from the home upon his arrival and also told firefighters that the fire appeared to be in the rear of the structure and a dog might be trapped inside.
While en route, German Township requested a second alarm, bringing Harrison Township, Columbus Township and Hope fire departments to the scene. Amity and Nineveh Fire Departments were also requested.
Edinburgh Engine 41 arrived and began an interior attack using water for its onboard water tank, firefighters said.
German Township Engine 81 arrived and hooked to a fire hydrant 650 feet away to supply water for the incident. Several crews searched for the missing dog while also fighting the fire.
The dog was found hiding in a back bedroom and removed from the house. The dog was given oxygen on the scene and his condition improved. The dog, which was standing on his own, was taken to an emergency vet by one of the home’s occupants.
Approximately 20 minutes into the incident fire crews were pulled out of the house and Tower 221 from Columbus Township was utilized to spray water from above the house. After the bulk of the fire was knocked down, crews returned inside to extinguish the remaining hot spots.
There were about 30 firefighters who responded to the scene and no injuries were reported. Firefighters said the home is a total loss, and was valued at $200,000.
The contents inside were estimated at $75,000. The homeowners did not have insurance.
The Bartholomew County Fire Investigator was requested to respond to the scene and investigating the cause of the fire.
For more on this story, see Thursday’s Republic.
