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Woman injured in fire that guts Larwill house |
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Wednesday, March 12 2008 |
By CHRIS MEYERS
Staff writer
A Larwill resident was treated and released at a local hospital for smoke inhalation after awakening Tuesday evening to her home being filled with thick black smoke.
No other injuries were reported in the fire that broke out around 7 p.m. at 111 N. Center St. and caused heavy smoke damage to the building, according to Joe Wolf, chief of the Richland Township Fire Department.
Wolf said the first crew of firefighters on scene made entry to the house and quickly knocked down the fire, but then found it had spread into the crawl spaces and walls.
Cleveland and Columbia townships as well as Pierceton’s fire department also responded. Whitley County sheriff’s deputies were on scene to help with traffic control.
The house had been remodeled and had additions put on it throughout the years, which complicated efforts in getting to the fire, Wolf said.
“We had several teams working in different places to get the hot spots out,” he said.
At least one person was inside the house at the time the fire started, and was awakened by the smoke detector.
“When she woke up she found herself in dense smoke,” Wolf said.
He said those inside the home rushed outside to safety after feeling the heat of the fire and didn’t take any belongings with them.
“About all they made it out with were the clothes on their backs,” Wolf said.
The American Red Cross was called to offer aid to the residents of the home.
Wolf said an area of origin has been determined, but the insurance company’s investigator will likely be the one to find an exact cause.
Runaway girls found safe
Three Churubusco girls who took a car and left home were found safe and sound in Iowa Tuesday.
The girls were reported missing Monday morning. Two of the girls, age 9 and 14 are sisters and another 15-year-old girl took the car of the sisters’ grandmother and left.
The girls were found after a traffic stop.
Arrangements are being made to return the girls to Whitley County, according to the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department. |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, March 13 2008 )
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