Editor, Times-Union: Plain Township Fire Department was back on scene Friday and Saturday at the home of Jerry and Norma Ferguson, located at 5 EMS T-35 Lane, Leesburg for reported smaller fires.
Fire crews had to do extensive overhaul of the ceilings and walls within the structure to extinguish smaller fires. The collapse of the slate-covered roof hampered firefighters from reaching these confined smaller fires, due to the collapse causing sections of the structure to be un-accessible.
Fire investigators were on scene Saturday starting the investigation into the cause of the fire. As first reported, there is a possibility of an electrical fire caused by electrical heating systems that were installed in the attic area to keep ice from building up on the metal-style roof. This has not been confirmed or eliminated by fire investigators. Fire investigators will be back on scene today to complete the investigation.
Fire officials from Plain Township Fire Department want to express their sincere appreciations for assistance they received during the fire. The American Red Cross supplied food and warm drinks for the wet and cold firefighters, Gary Nieter of the Times-Union who took numerous photographs of the progression of the fire, which will be used for scene investigations, and to citizens of the lake area that have provided photographs of the fire scene.
Thanks to the many firefighters for the manpower and fire equipment from Milford Fire Department, North Webster Fire Department, Turkey Creek Fire Department, Pierceton Fire Department, Benton Township Fire Department, Atwood Fire Department, Warsaw Fire Department and Winona Lake Fire Department.
Thanks to the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department officers that were quick to respond to assist us, and Multi-Township Emergency Medical Service for providing a medical crew to watch over of firefighters. A special thanks to all those individuals whom have called or e-mailed us with wishes for our injured firefighter, who was released from the hospital on Friday.
Michael D. Wilson CFEI Plain Township Fire Department
