8 displaced after residential fire breaks out in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ind. — An investigation is underway after a residence fire displaced eight people in Columbus Friday night.

According to a news release, firefighters with the Columbus Fire Department were called to a home in the 900 block of Chestnut Street to investigate a residential fire in the area. CFD said firefighters arrived on the scene and observed “heavy fire conditions” as an attached carport was completely engulfed in flames.

Firefighters soon confirmed that another residence sustained vinyl siding melting due to the radiant heat caused by the fire. As fire crews worked to put out the flames, they reportedly noticed that the fire had entered the home’s interior living space and attic.

Firefighters then ventured inside the home to continue attacking the flames, where they encountered “low visibility and high heat”, CFD said. Firefighters soon determined that the origin of the fire was located above an additional roof structure.

Crews finally extinguished the flames when they reached the roof. The homeowner was reportedly sitting outside on his front porch when someone told him his house was on fire, CFD said.

The homeowner said he ran to the alley and saw the flames present in the carport and proceeded to call 911. He told firefighters that the carport was used as a storage space while his home was being remodeled.

The American Red Cross is providing shelter assistance to all of the displaced tenants. No occupants or firefighters were injured, CFD said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.