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Women escape Arlington Street apartment fire
Although no official determination has been made, the occupant of an Arlington Street apartment believes the late-night fire that destroyed the residence Saturday started externally.
Shortly after 11 p.m. Saturday, flames leaped from the second story of the structure in a blaze that began approximately 11:10 p.m.
Beth Clodfelter and her son's girlfriend were home alone when the fire broke out on the west side of the 213 S. Arlington St. structure, which is connected to John Black-owned home that fronts 601 Anderson St.
Clodfelter reported hearing something crash against the west side door of the apartment, and when the women looked out to see what had just happened, the entryway was in flames.
She also reported hearing a car pull away quickly from the scene.
The two women escaped unharmed by the fire but shaken by the experience.
"We went out the back door," Clodfelter told the Banner Graphic Sunday morning as she fought back emotions. "Thank god, my grandson wasn't here."
Cause of the fire had not been released by fire officials Sunday.
However, Clodfelter, is adamant that it began outside the structure and quickly spread up the side of the building and into the ceiling and roof.
The only word from the Greencastle Fire Department Sunday morning was that the fire was "still under investigation" and Chief John Burgess would have more information come Monday.
Clodfelter and her daughter were on the scene Sunday morning trying to salvage what they could from the fire scene.
Her fingers and hands covered with soot from rooting through the fire aftermath, Clodfelter noted that she basically escaped with the clothes on her back. She said she is now homeless.
Flames could still be seen leaping from the roof of the structure at 11:30 p.m. However, once firefighters were able to put water on the fully involved fire, flames were quickly knocked down.
Clodfelter said it appears the adjoining apartment structure to the south of hers suffered only smoke damage.