Fire destroys Washington Twp. home

Friday, January 24, 2014 ~ Updated 12:29 AM
Flames engulf the two-story home of Jim Neeley and Beth Brummett located in Washington Township on Thursday evening.

The two-story home of Jim Neeley and Beth Brummett, located at 3850 E. County Road 450 South in Washington Township, was engulfed by flames about 4:15 p.m. Thursday.

Numerous Putnam County fire departments responded to the blaze with tankers, battling single-digit temperatures in addition to major flames and heavy smoke.

"When GFD arrived on scene, it was determined that we were just going to have to fight it from outside," Reelsville Volunteer Fire Department Chief Brent Urton said. "Dealing with the icy slick driveway, being so far off the road and it being so cold made it just that much more difficult (to fight the blaze)."

Firefighters also faced another challenge as there were no hydrants near the home, which resulted in multiple tanker trucks having to be reloaded several times.

Brummett, who was home at the time, fled to the safety of a neighbor's home barefoot with her young son before officials arrived.

The cause of the blaze, which destroyed the family's entire home, remains undetermined. However, officials believe it may have started in the area of a wood stove.

Investigators are also unsure why the fire spread throughout the home so quickly.

An attached two-car garage was the first involved portion of the structure, with the fire then spreading from one end of the living quarters to the other.

Besides extreme cold and a scarcity of water, responders also contended with the dangers of exploding ammunition as the fire spread through the home.

The fire remains under investigation. Officials remained on the scene until 10:40 p.m.

Assisting at the scene was the Greencastle Fire Department, Cloverdale Volunteer Fire Department, Madison Township Volunteer Fire Department, Walnut Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Poland Volunteer Fire Department, Bainbridge Volunteer Fire Department, Russellville Volunteer Fire Department, Jefferson Township Volunteer Fire Department, Fillmore Volunteer Fire Department, Clinton Township Volunteer Fire Department and Roachdale Volunteer Fire Department.

Also assisting at the scene was the Putnam County Sheriff's Department, Vigo County Rehab 71, Indiana Conservation Officers, Operation Life and the Indiana State Police.

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