Small structure fire sees large response Tuesday

A small kitchen fire that sent three residents to the Putnam County Hospital as a precautionary measure had citizens of Greencastle speculating its size and severity Tuesday evening.

Operation Life and fire departments from Greencastle, Cloverdale, Fillmore, Reelsville and Madison Township responded to a fire alarm at 5:42 p.m. on Tuesday, finding the kitchen of a residence at 1325 E. Rangeline Rd. filled with smoke but few flames.

A cooking pan filled with oil on a stove top had ignited, causing the family of three to exit the building while making a call to 911. After trying to extinguish the flames and repeatedly re-entering the residence to search for pets, family members were told to stay outside as members of GFD entered and removed the pets before any harm came to the animals while safely extinguishing the flames.

Taking slightly more than an hour, GFD and other crews used approximately 500 gallons of water on the scene -- a relatively small amount -- and said the entire operation "worked out really well."

GFD initially received reports of entrapment within the residence but was relieved to find all residents unharmed, save some minor smoke inhalation for which PCH released the family some hours later.

Crews extinguished the flames with relatively no trouble and returned to their respective stations by 7 p.m.