Columbus Fire Department investigates residential fire

COLUMBUS, Ind. — Officials with the Columbus Fire Department are continuing to investigate a residential fire in north Columbus Monday afternoon.

According to the department, officials were called to a home near the intersection of Spring Valley Drive and Westchester Drive on a report of a residential fire at around 4:15 p.m. on Monday.

When crews arrived, they found a home with smoke coming from it. Police officers reported at the scene that the occupants of the home at escaped the home with several pets.

On the second floor of the home, the department said the firefighters “experienced high heat and increased smoke conditions as they found a small fire located in a second floor bedroom.” Crews put the fire out and removed a smoldering mattress and a bedside nightstand from the home.

Officials said the property owner told investigators they had just returned home from attending a community event to discover the home full of smoke. The department said that electrical components were found near where the fire was suspected to be started.

“Firefighters said that the fire could have intensified and more damage could have occurred if the discovery of fire had been delayed any longer,” the department said.

Officials said the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Smoke damage was visible throughout the home and damage is estimated at $45,000. No injuries were reported at the scene.

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