Madison Township home destroyed by fire

Friday, July 10, 2015
Photo submitted by Jacob Garl

A Friday afternoon fire destroyed the home of a Madison Township couple.

At 3:05 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to 4483 W. CR 125 South (West Walnut) for a structure fire.

Several agencies have responded to 4483 W. County Road 125 South. As of 3 p.m., the house was a total loss. (Cell phone photo submitted by Jared Jernagan)

Despite the home's location immediately west of the Madison Township Volunteer Fire Department, crews arrived on the scene to find the two-story structure already fully engulfed in flames.

Madison and Greencastle firefighters arrived first, soon calling for tankers from other departments. As the fire continued, manpower was requested from other area departments.

Responders were unsure if anyone was home at first, but later confirmed that the residents, Gary and Patricia Jones, were away at the time of the blaze.

The speed and heat of the fire were apparently extreme, as not only did it consume the structure quickly, but also melted some of the vinyl siding on a non-adjacent garage behind the house.

All told, at least eight local departments -- Madison Township, Greencastle, Washington Township, Clinton Township, Cloverdale Township, Bainbridge, Fillmore and Bellmore -- assisted at the scene.

Additionally, support was provided at the scene by the Putnam County Sheriff's Department, Operation Life, Parke County REMC and the American Red Cross.

One of the biggest challenges for firefighters was getting water to the scene, as the configuration of the lane made maneuvering tankers in and out a challenge.

Firefighters cleared the scene at 6:36 p.m.

While no damage estimate was available, the structure was clearly a total loss.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: