CROMWELL – A fire at a vacant residence in Cromwell Wednesday evening has been ruled as arson. The Turkey Creek Fire Territory responded to a report of a fully involved structure fire of a vacant residence in Enchanted Hills at 11938 N. Sir Gallahad Place, Cromwell, at 8:04 p.m. Wednesday. The cause of the fire has been ruled as arson, after investigation by the Kosciusko County Fire Investigation Team and the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department. The owner of the property is Alden Stuckman, and the owner of the structure is Janet Reams. Upon arrival of the first fire units at 8:10 p.m., heavy smoke was noted throughout the structure and flames were visible near the east end of the structure. The structure was noted to be a 14-foot by 56-foot mobile home with no occupants at the time of the fire. Foam and water were used to control and extinguish the fire. Water was shuttled to the scene by tankers from the Turkey Creek Fire Territory, the North Webster Fire Department and the Cromwell Fire Department. The lake hydrant at Walnut Drive on the east side of Lake Wawasee was used to fill the tankers during the firefight. Additional manpower was provided to the Turkey Creek Fire Territory by the North Webster Fire Department. The fire was brought under control at 8:33 p.m. Crews remained on scene until 11:12 p.m. to completely extinguish the fire and complete salvage and overhaul. There were no reported injuries as a result of the fire. The structure is considered a total loss with an estimated damage of up to $10,000.
