COLUMBUS, Ind. – UPDATE (4:35 p.m.): Columbus Fire Department (CFD) investigators are looking into the cause of a California Street fire that destroyed a single-family home Monday morning. Firefighters worked at the scene for about four hours. No injuries were reported.
At around 10 a.m., the Columbus Fire Department was called to 921 California St., where heavy flames were coming out of the front of the rental home, per CFD’s Capt. Mike Wilson. As fire crews tried to advance further into the house to try to put out the blaze, the fire was so intense that the application of water had little effect. Smoke conditions on the outside of the home indicated the fire had spread to several rooms and the home’s attic space, so an incident commander ordered firefighters to evacuate.
CFD then initiated “an exterior defense attack”, which included the protection of a nearby home at 925 California Street.
Firefighters used a ladder truck to direct an elevated water stream into that attic, which improved conditions temporarily until a portion of the roof caved in, according to Capt. Wilson.
With a clear opening created above, firefighters elevated the ladder truck over the residence and directed a water stream down on the flames. The blaze was soon brought under control and crews were again permitted to enter the home to address hotspots.
The house at 925 California St. sustained minor damage to its vinyl siding caused by radiant heat.
Two pet dogs, located on the rear lawn at 921 California, were secured by Columbus Animal Care Services. Neither of the dogs was injured. The rental home, owned by Columbus Rental Property LLC, is considered a total loss with damage estimates totaling $50,000.
On August 1, 2023, the City of Columbus Fire Department and the Columbus Township Fire Department instituted an Automatic Aid Agreement for working structure fires within both the City of Columbus and Columbus Township. Today’s fire incident was the first working fire incident to occur since the agreement was put into place, per CFD.
Deputy Chief Mark Ziegler, Columbus Fire Department Deputy Chief of Operations, said that the new agreement proved its worth today. “We experienced a very challenging fire that required a large amount of manpower working for an extended period of time. With the additional crews and equipment, we had extra hands to get the job done as efficiently and safely as possible.” Seven fire apparatus responded with a total of 22 firefighters operating at the scene.
ORIGINAL (11:51 a.m.):
California Street is closed between 9th Street and 10th Street due to a structure fire. Residents are asked to avoid the area while firefighters work to get the blaze under control.
This story will be updated.
