Vacant Washington Township home destroyed in fire

Firefighters get after a blaze in which a vacant Washington Township home was destroyed Saturday. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Courtesy Reelsville Volunteer Fire Department

REELSVILLE — A vacant home in Reelsville was destroyed in a blaze which multiple fire departments responded to late Saturday morning.

The Reelsville Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched at about 10:50 a.m. for a reported structure fire at 7557 S. CR 625 West. A box alarm was then established as there was significant involvement throughout the home.

Water and manpower came from the Greencastle and Putnamville fire departments, as well as the volunteers from Cloverdale Township and Madison Township and Poland in Clay County. The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and Putnam County EMS were also on scene.

After a deck gun was used to knock down the fire, two handlines were stretched with water fed from three apparatuses. The fire was marked as contained by 11:20 a.m., after which extensive overhaul was conducted.

The structure had wood siding with metal covering, which made the overhaul operation difficult. With approximately 10,000 gallons of water used overall, the fire was tapped out by 11:52 a.m.

No personnel were reported injured in the response.

Reelsville Fire went back into service shortly after 1 p.m. after the other crews were released. The Fillmore Volunteer Fire Department covered Greencastle Fire’s station beforehand.

Reelsville Fire Asst. Chief John McPherson told the Banner Graphic that the cause of the fire is under investigation.