Early morning garage fire damages two homes

An early morning fire in a detached garage damaged two neighboring homes on Indiana Avenue in Columbus today.

According to the Columbus Fire Department, were called to the 1900 block of Indiana Avenue at just before 4 a.m. today. When they arrived heavy fire was visible throughout an 12’x20′ masonry block garage. Firefighters say the roof of the garage was compromised and they made a defensive fire attack from the exterior. While firefighters directed water into the garage, additional fire crews applied water to two neighboring homes where the vinyl siding was melting.

One home had damage just to the siding due to the radiant heat, but the other home sustained structural damage from the fire. The resident of that home has been displaced by the fire and is receiving housing assistance from the American Red Cross. The fire also damaged an electrical service line to the garage, causing it to burn through and fall to the ground

It took about 20 minutes to get the fire under control.

Investigators are working to determine the cause the fire and the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office is assisting with the investigation.

No one was injured.

Other agencies assisting at the scene include the Columbus Police Department, Columbus Township Fire Rescue, Columbus Regional Health medicas, Columbus City Utilities, Duke Energy and Vectron Energy.

Photo courtesy of Columbus Fire Department.