CFD fights garage fire on Indiana Ave.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - The Columbus Fire Department (CFD) responded to a detached garage fire at 1900 block of Indiana Avenue on Wednesday, March 18. The blaze caused damage to two adjacent homes, and now firefighters are working to connect a tenant from one home with the American Red Cross. 

At approximately 3:58 AM, the Columbus Fire Department was called to 1972 Indiana Ave. for a report of a heavily involved garage fire. When the firefighter arrived on the scene, heavy fire was visible throughout an approximately 12'x20' masonry block garage. Firefighters quickly identified that the roof of the garage was compromised, and a defensive fire attack from the exterior of the building was announced to all hands working at the scene. The flames also damaged an electrical service line from the residence to the garage, causing the line to burn through and fall to the ground. While firefighters directed water into the garage, additional fire attack crews applied water to two homes that showed melting vinyl siding. Firefighters marked the main body of the fire under control within 20 minutes, but addressed hot spots for the next several hours.

The home at 1972 Indiana Ave. sustained fire damage to the structure of the residence as a result of the fire. The home at 2002 Indiana Ave. sustained damage to vinyl siding as a result of the fire's radiant heat. The resident of 1972 Indiana Ave. will be displaced as a result of the fire and is receiving assistance from the American Red Cross. 

No injuries were reported at the scene. The Indiana State Fire Marshal's Office is assisting with the investigation.

Other agencies that assisted at the scene include the Columbus Police Department, Columbus Township Fire Rescue, Columbus Regional Health EMS, Columbus City Utilities, Duke Energy, Vectron Energy and the Batholomew County 911 Dispatch Center