Homeowner found safe after fire Monday night

Firefighters work to extinguish a fire which destroyed a home near Barnard Monday evening.

Courtesy Floyd Township Volunteer Fire Department

BARNARD — A homeowner was found safe and without injuries after a house fire in Jackson Township which called upon local and Hendricks County firefighters Monday evening.

At about 6:15 p.m., the Roachdale Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched for a structure fire about one mile south of Barnard at 12046 N. CR 800 East. The house was fully involved and a mutual aid request was activated.

The Bainbridge and Floyd Township volunteer departments, as well as Amo and North Salem volunteers, helped put out the blaze. The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Putnam County CERT and Putnam County EMS also responded.

First responders initially believed the homeowner, identified as 27-year-old Luke Baber, was still inside the home after the fire. However, he was found after flagging down a motorist in the vicinity of the McCloud Nature Park.

The fire as it had fully engulfed the home.

Courtesy Roachdale Volunteer Fire Department

The home is considered a total loss.

Putnam County Det. Capt. Doug Nally told the Banner Graphic Tuesday morning that the Indiana State Fire Marshal and PCSO are pending an investigation into the fire’s cause.