MILFORD – Deputy Coroner Tony Ciriello was called to the scene of a fire at a Milford body shop this morning. Ciriello arrived on scene at approximately 10:30 a.m. at the request of Todd Haines, Milford fire chief. The fire broke out this morning at Medina’s Body Repair, 310 N. Higbee St., Milford. The body repair shop is owned by Jose Medina. The building is owned by Gary Miller. Ind. 15 was closed to traffic from U.S. 6 south to Emmeline Street in Milford while firefighters battled the blaze. Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police and Milford Police Department assisted with directing traffic. According to Rich Miotto, Milford town marshal, a Chore Time Brock employee driving home from work called 911 regarding the fire and firefighters responded. The business is a total loss, Miotto said. Miotto said there is an upstairs sleeping quarters in the attic of the building that Medina and his girlfriend sometimes sleep in. Miotto could not confirm if anyone was in the attic where the sleeping quarters was located. Kosciusko County Red Cross volunteers assisted at the scene this morning and provided coffee and food to firefighters, according to Kim Komdeur, Red Cross major gift officer. Milford Fire Department was called for full assists from Syracuse and Plain Township and Leesburg fire departments. New Paris and Nappanee Fire Departments also responded. The cause of the fire is unknown as of press time this morning.
