Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
BOURBON - No injuries were reported in the house fire that destroyed the home of James and Christine Bocko Tuesday.
When volunteer firemen from Bourbon and Etna Green responded to the 1 p.m. fire call at 404 W. Jackson, Bourbon, the whereabouts of the family was unknown. The first fire call reported there were possibly children in the house, but as the firemen searched they received word the children were with their mother. Firemen were at the scene for three hours.
Fire chief Mike Chapman said the investigation showed the fire had two hot spots, both involving electrical wiring. He said the likelihood of two fires occurring at the same time was remote. Chapman put the damage estimate at $50,000 for the structure and contents.
Chapman speculated the fire was caused by wiring that was overloaded or insulation on a wire that had burned off and ignited the wood. He said it had probably smoldered for hours before breaking into a fire.
Most of the damage was caused by smoke and heat.
As she stood with her daughter watching the firemen work on her home, Christine Bocko said she didn't know what the family would do next, but she was thankful no one was home or injured. The family has six children, ages 13, 11, nine, three, one, and one month.
Brent Leichty, a family friend and pastor of The New Wine Church, said the church will help out the family. A representative of the United Methodist Church's Helping Hands pantry also offered to help the family.
