Fire destroys hotel office

The Knights Inn office building, located near the intersection of State Road 59 and SR 42, caught fire and was destroyed Friday afternoon. No one was injured.

BRAZIL-- The Knights Inn, located near the intersection of State Road 59 and SR 42, caught fire Friday afternoon.

According to Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Department Chief Tom Champion, the cause of the fire is still under investigation. He told The Brazil Times a fire investigation will take place Monday with the State Fire Marshal's Office.

Two people were inside the building when the fire started; however, both escaped safely without any injuries.

During the two hours it took to bring the fire under control, Champion said part of the roof on the building collapsed.

Officials called REMC to turn off the power of the building.

According to Brazil City Fire Department Chief Jake Bennett, the Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Department requested the use of the city's ladder truck. Bennett sent four personnel and the ladder truck to the scene to assist.

"We used a large diameter line to supply the ladder and another ground monitor," Bennett said.

The fire was located in the office building of the hotel, which according to officials is owned by Chirag Enterprises, Inc.

"Everything worked according to advertised," Champion said of the response by fire departments. "If it wasn't for the new hydrants and the water tower, we would have had a problem."

Other agencies responding to the fire were: Posey Township Volunteer Fire Department, Center Point Volunteer Fire Department, Van Buren Volunteer Fire Department, Brazil City Fire Department, TransCare and the Clay County Sheriff's Department.