Home undergoing renovations damaged by fire

An early morning fire Saturday caused extensive damage to a home undergoing renovations on 31st Street in Columbus.

According to the Columbus Fire Department, a neighbor was drinking coffee on her back porch at about 5:45 a.m. Saturday morning when she heard popping sounds from the house next door, followed by an orange glow, a window breaking and smoke coming from the home in the 4200 block of 31st Street.

Firefighters arrived on scene and entered the home to search for possible sleeping occupants, but found the home was unoccupied. They found a fire in the home’s kitchen area, which they quickly extinguished. Fire damage to the kitchen was extensive and smoke damage was visible throughout the home.

The home’s owner told firefighters that the residence was being renovated. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

No one was injured.

Also assisting at the scene were Columbus police, Columbus Regional Health medics, Columbus Township Fire and Rescue Department, Columbus City Utilities, Duke Energy and CenterPoint.

Photo courtesy of Columbus Fire Department