An early morning fire gutted a vacant home today, despite efforts from Columbus Fire and Rescue to combat the blaze.
The house, located at 903 17th St. N., was being remodeled by the homeowner, who was not present when the fire began, Station 1 firefighter Dale Ballard said.
Because the fire occurred around 3 a.m., it was fully involved by the time a call was placed to 911.
“Coming in late at night, with everybody being asleep, probably no one noticed it until it was pretty involved,” Ballard said. “Police said they could see flames from Military Road.”
With the home engulfed, firefighters used a defensive attack, trying to save the property but also trying to keep the fire from spreading to other houses, he said. Siding on a nearby home was also damaged. There were no injuries.
Station 1 Battalion Chief Chris Hanson, Engines 21 and 30 from Station 1, and Engine 22 from Station 2 responded, remaining on the scene nearly three hours, Ballard said.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Carmen K. Sisson is the former news editor at The Dispatch.
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