CFD extinguishes small blaze at vacant 31st Street home Saturday morning

COLUMBUS, Ind. - Columbus Fire Department (CFD) Investigators are working to determine the cause of an early Saturday morning fire on 31st Street. Firefighters searched the home and found no one inside. They then located a fire in the kitchen and quickly extinguished the blaze.

Fire crews were called to the 4200 block of 31^st Street at around 5:45 a.m. after a neighbor reported a residential fire.   

The caller told CFD that she was drinking coffee on her back porch when a strange popping sound coming from a nearby house caught her attention. She then saw an orange glow in a window, followed quickly by the window breaking and smoke emitting from the home. That sequence prompted the 9-1-1 call.    

The first-arriving firefighters observed smoke coming from the residence. They entered with a firefighting water handline to search for possible occupants. While searching, crews located a fire in the home's kitchen, which was quickly extinguished. The house was unoccupied.   

Investigators are now trying to determine the cause of the blaze. After contacting the homeowner, CFD learned that it was being renovated. Damage to the home's kitchen area was extensive, with smoke damage visible throughout the residence.

At this time, investigators do not believe the fire was attributed to cooking activity. No injuries were reported.