News and Tribune

Police & Fire News

Related Photos

  • Debris lies scattered behind the house located at 1817 Grant Line Road on Tuesday afternoon after a fire destroyed the home on Monday night. Staff photo by Christopher Fryer

    11_28_fire_01w.jpg

Discussion

Add a comment on this story
November 27, 2012

Historic New Albany home lost in blaze

Family of six survives fire; father treated at hospital and released; 3 firefighters sustain minor injuries

By GARY POPP gary.popp@newsandtribune.com

NEW ALBANY — A home at 1817 Grant Line Road was completely lost during a fire that started about 10:30 p.m. Monday.

The New Albany Fire Department has yet to determine the cause of the blaze.

A family of six was jostled from their sleep by a smoke detector in the home, but several minutes went by, New Albany Fire Capt. Jodie Wilson said, before the family called 911. Wilson said the family searched for the source of the light haze of smoke in the home before contacting emergency responders.

He said the father of the family suffered smoke inhalation while attempted to locate where the smoke was coming from and was later taken to Floyd Memorial Hospital and Health Services where he was treated and released.

“Had they not had a smoke detector, there may have been a different outcome,” Wilson said.

The fire started in the attic of a one-story addition to the home, Wilson said, and quickly spread to the attic of the two-story main area of the home.

Wilson said the fire was able to spread so quickly and was difficult to get under control because the home was built before contemporary fire codes. Wilson said the home was constructed in 1927, according to county records, and was not equipped with firewalls to contain the flames, which traveled through the home.

Firefighters were dispatched to the fire at 10:34 p.m. and arrived two minutes later, he said.

“When personnel arrived, there was heavy fire showing in the rear of building,” Wilson said.

Seven fire trucks, three staff vehicles and 24 fire personnel would eventually arrive to the scene. Firefighters fought the evasive flames for nearly three hours before deeming the fire under control at 1:36 a.m.

Three firefighters were taken to Floyd Memorial Hospital for minor injuries sustained while working the fire scene, Wilson said. He said the each of the firefighters were treated and released.

Fire crews were still on the scene at 11:30 a.m. today.

Wilson estimated the value of the structure lost in the fire at $85,000, and the estimated the loss of the home’s contents at $30,000.

Wilson, who also serves as a fire investigator, said he was satisfied with the cooperative work of the firefighters on the scene.

“It was handled professionally,’ he said. “Just like we are trained to do.”

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Police & Fire News