Reelsville VFD seeking information on Sunday cabin fire

Monday, June 16, 2014

REELSVILLE -- A cabin that had twice previously been the sight of suspicious fires was completely destroyed in a Sunday night blaze.

At 11 p.m., Putnam County 911 Dispatch received a call of a possible structure fire in the cabins along County Road 725 South in Wapiti River Association neighborhood.

Reelsville Volunteer Fire Department Unit 500 arrived at 11:05 a.m. and confirmed the cabin at 7021 W. CR 725 South, Lot 15, was fully engulfed.

The firefighters then called for a box alarm, which brings Greencastle, Madison Township, Cloverdale Township and Bainbridge fire departments.

The cabin, owned by Dave and Peggy Lilly of Greencastle, was set on fire about a month ago, as well as about seven years ago.

The two previous fires were clearly intentional.

"The fire was definitely set," John McPherson of the RVFD told the Banner Graphic of the May 13 fire. He noted that there were no electrical or water hookups in the area that could have caused an accidental fire.

Additionally, the original fire was the result of a Molotov cocktail thrown through a window.

On this occasion, the cabin, which was not insured, was a total loss.

McPherson said he was investigating the fire on Monday afternoon. However, with no insurance on the cabin, no formal investigation with the Indiana Fire Marshal's office will take place.

Anyone with information on the fire is asked to call McPherson at 721-4000.

Firefighters used about 3,000 gallons of water to extinguish the fire. Damage estimated at $10,000. There were no injuries.

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