COLUMBUS, Ind. – The Columbus Fire Department (CFD) was summoned to an electrical fire at 492 Cherry St., in east Columbus, early Thursday morning.
Crews responded at around 3:30 a.m. after the rental property tenant discovered smoke in the home and called 911, according to CFD spokesman Cpt. Mike Wilson.
Firefighters arrived and spoke to the sole occupant of the home. The man had escaped uninjured. Inside, there was a fire in the kitchen ceiling, which included visible damage to ceiling tiles, insulation, and ceiling joist. Crews quickly extinguished the flames, removed adjacent ceiling tiles, and determined the small blaze did not extend further through the home beyond the area of origin.
An investigation indicated that a ceiling-mounted light fixture showed signs of electrical arcing, which spread to the ceiling and into the attic space. Firefighters traced the power supply to the kitchen’s electrical circuits. No working smoke detectors were found in the residence.
Damages to the home are estimated at $3500 and no injuries were reported. CFD reminds citizens of the importance of working smoke alarms as a tool for early fire detection.
