COLUMBUS, Ind. – The Columbus Fire Department (CFD) said no one was injured in a residential fire in Presidential Park late Tuesday morning. An older couple and two pet dogs evacuated the home, which is temporarily uninhabitable due to the damage caused by the fire.
Firefighters were called to 5151 Montpelier Court just after 11 a.m. after homeowners smelled smoke inside the home. When they arrived, the residents directed them to a master bathroom where the odor of smoke was first detected. CFD crews entered the bathroom and confirmed the presence of smoke but didn’t see fire.
Using a thermal imaging camera, firefighters detected high heat behind the bathroom wall indicating the possibility of fire within the wall’s void space. After removing the drywall, they found the flames and extinguished the small blaze.
One of the homeowners said they turned on the master bathroom ventilation fan there was a loud “pop.” A moment later, the smell of smoke was detected.
Firefighters inspected the area of damage and noted that a ventless gas fireplace in the home’s living room shared the same wall as the master bathroom. They removed portions of the drywall surrounding the gas fireplace where they found heavy charring to the wall framing the heating device.
CFD investigators determined that the fire was accidental and caused by heat transfer from the fireplace device to unprotected wall studs.
Damage to the home was isolated to the gas fireplace area and is estimated at $10,000. Light smoke damage was also present. Due to the damage, utility services to the home were disconnected. As a result, the occupants will be temporarily displaced until repairs are completed. The American Red Cross is assisting the homeowners with disaster services.
