Housing Found for Residents of Group Home that Burned Down
Posted
Craig Brosman-
Cardinal Services has made accommodations for each of the eight residents who lived in the North Webster group home that burned down Monday.
Jane Wear, chief executive officer of Cardinal Services, said no one was injured in the blaze.
“There were eight people that lived in the home. They all had developmental disabilities and need assistance with all of their daily life activities such as eating, bathing, toileting and engaging in day-to-day activities,” Wear said. “We are working with the state on several options with respect to the short-term and long-term arrangements for the people that lived in the home.”
Wear said a few of the individuals are currently living with their families, a few are living in other group homes operated by Cardinal Services and a few are staying in a local hotel.
The Cardinal Services Board of Directors meets this week and will make decisions about the long-term plans with respect to the group home.
The fire started at a home in the 300 block of Hickory Street in North Webster around 4:15 p.m. Monday. Syracuse Fire Department, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department and North Webster Police Department arrived at the scene.
Squad 70 investigator Gordon Baker said they think they know where the fire originated from.
“We believe the fire started in or around a cigarette receptacle and spread to the house,” Baker said. “The wind helped spread the fire.”
Baker said the home was a total loss and estimated the damage at $100,000 to $150,000.
