Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
A Wednesday afternoon fire caused more than $200,000 damage to a rural Warsaw business.
The Warsaw Fire Department responded to a fire call at Pete's Body Shop, 601 S. CR 325E, Warsaw, around 2:05 p.m. Wednesday.
When fire units arrived, they discovered a grass fire that had spread to the building housing the body shop.
According to Pete Wolkins, owner of the building, ashes from an outside burning barrel blew out and caused dry grass and debris to ignite.
Wolkins told fire officials that he tried to put out the fire, but he was unable to keep the flames from the building.
Firefighting units from Warsaw and Winona Lake remained at the scene extinguishing the fire and removing burning insulation until 5:30 p.m.
Firefighters were able to move vehicles from the building and prevent damage.
Estimated damage to the building is $150,000 and to the contents is $80,000.
Multi-Township EMS, Pierceton Fire Department and the Red Cross assisted at the scene.
