Home damaged in joint-county fire Monday

Firefighters work on overhaul at a fire that occurred at 116 Mill Springs in Heritage Lake Monday morning. Crews from multiple fire departments responded to the incident.

Banner Graphic/BRAND SELVIA

HERITAGE LAKE — A Heritage Lake home was significantly damaged in a fire that called upon multiple fire departments from Putnam and Hendricks counties Monday morning.

A box alarm was dropped at about 6:40 a.m. for a structure fire reported at 116 Mill Springs. Heavy black smoke was coming from the eaves and the top of the roof, as well as from the back of the structure, as units arrived.

With the Coatesville and Floyd Township volunteer departments then on the scene, apparatuses and manpower responded from Fillmore, Roachdale, Bainbridge, Danville, Amo and North Salem. Putnam County EMS and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office were also present.

As two handlines were spread out, firefighters began their attack at the front with no visibility inside. One fell into the crawl space and was pulled out with no serious injuries, after which they entered an access at the back and found the floor collapsed.

With it centralized in the crawl space, firefighters finally entered through the kitchen and cut a hole through the floor to get at the fire. A drop tank was utilized for water that was shuttled from Bainbridge by the tankers.

A drop tank was utilized to pump water that was shuttled to the scene by tankers during the operation.

Banner Graphic/BRAND SELVIA

With the Greencastle Fire Department also requested to shore up the effort, firefighters were reported as checking for extensions in the upstairs by 7:55 a.m. The fire was then marked under control by 8:10 a.m.

Coatesville Fire Asst. Chief Jerry Johnson related that while a neighbor called it in, cameras at their residence captured smoke rolling out of the home in question at about 5 a.m. This led to the floor becoming “spongy” as the fire burned in the crawl space.

The fire was marked completely out and command terminated by 9:40 a.m. Meanwhile, personnel from Hendricks Power arrived to secure power to the home.

The home was unoccupied at the time of the incident. Pets were also removed from the home without issue.

Investigators from the Avon Fire Department were called to assess the structure as overhaul was being conducted. No cause for the fire or monetary damages were determined at the scene.

According to Putnam County GIS, the home is listed to Jones and Dawn Gruca.