Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
CLAYPOOL - An estimated $60,000 damage resulted after an explosion and fire at a Claypool residence.
Claypool Fire Department was called to the David and Connie LaRue residence at 10:22 a.m. Tuesday. A cause for the fire has not yet been determined, but fire officials said that an explosion occurred before or during the fire.
Claypool Town Marshal Gene Warner said today there was a reloading room in the basement of the home and there was gun powder, paint thinner and other flammable materials in the area where the explosion occurred.
As a result of the explosion, the front picture window of the home, including the frame, was blown out into the front yard. Also, the basement door blew open and the ceiling of a room down the hall from the basement door was blown up about a foot, Warner said.
The majority of the fire was contained to one area of the basement, although some flames burned through a floor joist. There was smoke damage throughout the home.
Firefighters had the fire under control after 30 to 45 minutes and were on the scene for about three hours. Officials remained at the residence until about 6 p.m. to secure the scene until the investigator with the State Fire Marshal's Office arrived.
The fire is believed to have started accidentally, possibly due to an electrical problem, and the State Fire Marshal's Office is assisting in determining the cause.
Claypool firefighters got a full assist from Silver Lake Fire Department, manpower assistance from Winona Lake Fire Department and a tanker from Warsaw Fire Department.
