Three other departments were already on the scene when ‘Busco crews arrived, but extra hands were needed to help remove a large amount of burning hay from the burnt out structure.

Churubusco units cleared the scene at approximately 9:30 PM. No injuries were reported and the cause remains under investigation.

Churubusco fire crews help at a barn fire on Hiler Road just outside of Columbia City

First arriving units found a Dodge Durango on fire with gas pouring from the bottom which caused problems with extinguishing the fire.

Pump201 arrived and supplied a foam line to the crews out in the field.

The owner was transported to an area hospital complaining of injuries he sustained while trying to remove the truck from the field.

Engine 92 was the first on the scene advising heavy smoke and fire were visible. Additional departments were immediately called for water and manpower assistance including LaOtto, Washington & Northeast Fire.

The homeowner advised that the fire started in the garage located on the lower level which was very clear upon arrival due to the heavy involvement and a collapsed upper level floor that Base 90 units found on the “D” David side.

Crews cleared the scene at approximately 22:00 and both Churubusco & Huntertown wish to thank all units who responded including Rehab 70 and ACPD for their assistance.

McComb Road house fire at Huntertownfire.com

Photos courtesy of the Huntertown Fire Department.

The fire is believed to have started when a heat lamp came into contact with items in the garage and caught fire.

Crews arrived to find moderate smoke and fire inside the two story home.

The fire was under control in approximately 20 minutes, no one was injured but the home did sustain moderate to heavy smoke, fire and water damage.

Unfortunately during the incident, after much of the fire had been extinguished, the lead pump, 203, caught fire under the pump panel. Crews worked quickly to put out the small fire, but much of the wiring inside the truck was damaged.

The cause remains under investigation, but it’s believed to have started in the area of the chimney.

Assistant Chief Wayne Krider arrived to find a large pole barn showing heavy smoke and some fire out of the east end of the structure and immediately requested assistance from LaOtto fire and soon thereafter Albion for manpower and water.

Crews found heavy smoke and heat inside the structure which was full of equipment and several dump trucks.

About an hour into the fire it was decided to bring up Columbia City Fire’s ladder 107 to assist with extinguishing the hot spots in the peak of the building.

Crews remained on the scene for several hours, no one was injured and the fire remains under investigation.

Firefighters first entered the smoke filled home looking for the fire in the basement but ran into difficulties in locating the actual seat of the fire. Within a short time the conditions in the home went from bad to worse and the emergency crews rushed out of the home for their own safety.

Heavy toxic smoke began pouring from the home as crews rushed into the downstairs basement door to extinguish the blaze.

The house sustained heavy fire, smoke and heat damage throughout, the cause is still undetermined.

Firefighter Todd Shively was taken to an area hospital for an ankle sprain, while firefighter Joe Small was taken in for smoke inhalation. Two of the residents of the home were also taken in for breathing in the thick toxic smoke.

Firefighters arrived to find the two garages engulfed in an inferno and the house was quickly catching fire.

Initial reports from residents of the home stated someone was still trapped inside the burning building. After several exhaustive searches, the missing female occupant could not be located.

At the time of press there was still no word on the woman’s whereabouts. The fire is still under investigation.

10/30/2009
According to reports, the woman was found a day later sleeping on the porch of a nearby neighbor.

Because of the time of day, lack of manpower and the warm temperatures, fire departments from Jefferson Twp, Columbia City, Columbia Twp. and Arcola were also called in to assist with the 4 hour blaze.

Crews battled not only heat and smoke from the structure, but a bit of a hot summer day. No one was injured in the fire. The cause is still under investigation.