2:25 P.M.
COLUMBUS, Ind. — Columbus firefighters have reopened U.S. 31 near Lowell Road after three fire departments worked together to extinguish a 6-acre grass fire in the median.
Shortly after clearing the scene, county firefighters were sent to a reported fire on Baker Hollow Road involving multiple trees.
The median that burned on U.S. 31 went from near Lowell Road to Progress Drive, said Capt. Mike Wilson, Columbus Fire Department spokesman.
At one point, the fire jumped over the highway toward a private residence nearby, but the homeowners used a garden hose to keep it from spreading further on to the property, Wilson said.
Columbus Township and German Township firefighters assisted Columbus firefighters at the scene.
Wilson said it is likely that a lit cigarette tossed in the median caused the median fire, but there is no way to prove cause due to the large area that burned.
Firefighters are cautioning residents to refrain from tossing lit cigarettes out of their cars into grassy areas due to dry and windy conditions that could result in these types of grass fires.
This story will be updated.
ORIGINAL STORY
COLUMBUS, Ind. — U.S. 31 is closed between Lowell Road and Southline Drive due to a grass fire in the median, Columbus Fire Department said.
Traffic is being diverted away from the area. Indianapolis Road remains open, firefighters said.
This story will be updated.
