Information and photos courtesy of Michael Wilson
At approximately 12:48 a.m., Columbus (IN) firefighter were dispatched to a report of an RV camper on fire next to a home. Columbus police officers were the first to arrive on the scene, 3823 Greenbriar Dr., and reported that a fully involved camper fire had extended to a two-story home.
When firefighters arrived, they found heavy fire conditions throughout the home, with structural collapse to a portion of the roof. Firefighters also reported fire damages, caused by radiant heat, to 3843 Greenbriar Dr.
Due to the fire’s rapid spread and structural collapse, the incident commander ordered all fire operations to be conducted from the exterior of the home. With no fire personnel being permitted to enter the home, crews directed multiple water streams into the residence, including an elevated water stream from a ladder truck positioned on the roadway. Firefighters also applied water onto the exterior of 3843 Greenbriar Dr. to prevent additional damages at that residence after discovering the complete melting away of the vinyl siding on an exterior wall adjacent to 3823 Greenbriar Dr.
Beware the Structural Carcass: Building Collapse After the Fire Is Out
Firefighters battled flames for more than an hour before the fire was marked under control. Extinguishment was hampered by limited access and the collapse of the roof structure, which created pockets of fire hidden under the fallen debris. Once the fire was controlled, crews were permitted to access portions of the home to fully extinguish remaining hot spots. The overhaul process was challenging and labor intensive, as the amount of debris was considerable.
The homeowner told investigators that he, his wife, and two of three children were in the home at the time of the fire. He told investigators that he was in bed when he heard a popping sound outside the home. The homeowner further stated that he went outside to investigate the sound and discovers flames coming out from under a 32-foot camper parked next to the garage. He said that attempted to put out the fire with a portable fire extinguisher but the fire continued to grow in intensity. The homeowner said that while he attempted to stop the fire’s spread, his wife called 911. He said that he witnessed the fire spread to the exterior wall and into the soffit and attic space.
The homeowner told investigators that he was charging components of the trailer with a power supply extension cord from the home. Investigators confirmed that the charging system was connected at the time the fire occurred, but were unable to determine the exact cause of the fire. The cause of the fire remains undetermined at this time.
The home is considered a total loss with a damage estimate of $250,000. The family is displaced as result of the fire. The Salvation Army and American Red Cross are providing disaster relief services to the family. No injuries were reported at the scene.
Agencies that assisted at the scene include the Columbus Police Department, Columbus Regional Health EMS, Duke Energy, Vectern Energy, The Salvation Army, and the American Red Cross.
Mike Wilson is a captain with the City of Columbus (IN) Fire Department.
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