Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Two area residences were destroyed this weekend by fire.
Pierceton Fire Department was called to a house fire at 6:26 p.m. Sunday at 9685 U.S. 30E.
Fire department spokesman Rob Barker said the home, owned and occupied by H. Vance Stills, was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived. Officials determined that the fire began as a result of an electrical problem on an adjacent porch. Squad 70, the Kosciusko County fire investigation team, assisted in the investigation.
Firefighters were on the scene until 12:30 a.m. today, with a full assist from Larwill Fire Department and tanker assistance from North Webster Fire Department. The fire was under control in about one-half hour, Barker said.
Mike Braddock, a Pierceton firefighter, suffered a broken finger and a knee injury in a fall outside the home. He was treated at a local hospital and released.
This was the third fire PFD responded to Sunday. Two trash fires got out of control and required firefighters to extinguish them.
The first, at 12:18 p.m., was on the property of Matthew Seese, 1634 N. CR 400E. Barker said two boats and a barn likely would have been lost if the fire hadn't been stopped. Another trash fire, at 12:59 p.m., was reported at the Jerry Grover Jr. property at 6266 S. CR 700E and covered several acres of ground. PFD was assisted at that fire by Sidney Fire Department.
Barker said people shouldn't be fooled by winter weather because vegetation is very dry right now. Caution should be used when starting fires outdoors.
Another fire, at 12:25 a.m. today, proved a total loss to the Dick Baldwin residence at 9893 E. King Arthur Trail, Cromwell, in the Enchanted Hills Mobile Home Park.
Syracuse Fire Chief Larry Hunter said that fire started in a bedroom of an addition to a single-wide mobile home due to an electrical problem.
The Baldwin family, including three teen-agers, escaped the home without injury. Damage is estimated at $60,000 to $80,000.
Syracuse firefighters received equipment and manpower assistance from Cromwell Fire Department and tanker assistance from NWFD.
