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NORTH WEBSTER – A fire damaged a home at 348 N. Main St., North Webster, Thursday night.
The lone occupant, a renter, escaped without injury.
A Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office deputy traveling south on Ind. 13 notified county dispatch of heavy smoke coming from the home at approximately 10 p.m. Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory was immediately dispatched and arrived at the scene within a minute.
Battalion Chief Jonna Stamm reported when trucks left the station there was a heavy haze across Ind. 13, but no flames were visible. Firefighters found heavy smoke upon arrival. Approximately 30 minutes after the roof was vented, flames broke through the roof and lit up the night sky.
A second alarm was sent to Turkey Creek Fire Territory for manpower and water, and to the Pierceton Fire Department for water. About an hour into fighting the response, Pierceton was requested to send additional manpower and Plain Township Fire Department was toned out for support due to low temperatures.
There were not problems with water or trucks freezing up due to the cold temperatures.
Fire Chief Jeremy Likens reported tankers were refilled at the town’s only fire hydrant, located at North Webster Elementary School.
Stamm reported the female renter declined assistance from the American Red Cross. Two house cats were rescued. NIPSCO was contacted to disconnect the gas and electric.
The fire was brought under control approximately one hour after the initial call, however, firefighters remained on scene until 1:09 a.m. Friday.
The cause of the fire is being investigated by the State Fire Marshall’s office.
The home is owned by Ronald W. Cernauskas, Manhatton, Ill.
Extensive smoke and fire damage were reported to the second floor of the home.
Traffic on Ind. 13 was shut down in both directions from the time of the initial call until approximately midnight, when the northbound lanes reopened. The highway was fully reopened at 1:09 a.m.
