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Fires destroyed property in Kosciusko County Sunday, including a business near Pierceton and a residence near Burket.
Shortly before 10 a.m. Sunday, a passerby reported a fire at Pierceton R.E.B. Enterprises, 7879 E. CR 250S, near Pierceton. The motorist drove from the site to the fire station - an eight- to 10-block drive - to make the report, and officials said the fire was burning strong when firefighters arrived to extinguish the blaze.
A Warsaw firefighter was taken to Kosciusko Community Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation and chest pain.
"I think it was mainly the heat got to a lot of guys," said Rob Barker of Pierceton Fire Department, adding that the heat also hindered firefighting efforts.
The fire is believed to be electrical in nature and to have originated in the area of an electrical panel. Pierceton Fire Department was assisted by the State Fire Marshal's Office and Squad 70, Kosciusko County's fire investigation team, in determining a cause for the fire. Damage is estimated at $600,000.
About 100 firefighters from Pierceton, North Webster, Winona Lake, Warsaw and Larwill fire departments were on the scene, along with crews from Pierceton, North Webster and Multi-Township Emergency Medical Services. American Red Cross and PFD auxiliary members were at the scene to provide beverages, food and other assistance.
The Burket-area fire is believed to have started in the garage of a residence on CR 200S and spread to the house. Information regarding the fire was not available at press time.
A 911 call to the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department came from the home of Wilbur Perry. However, it is not known if that was the property owner or a neighbor.
Burket Fire Department investigated the fire and Warsaw Fire Department was an assisting agency.
Fires also were reported Sunday at Milford, where a call was received of a garage on fire on CR 1150N, and at North Webster, where a trailer and car were believed to be on fire.
