These people desperately needs our help!

Published: April 18, 2008 11:17 pm

Fire consumes house

Winter floods destroyed occupants’ previous home

by Denise Forsberg
Pharos-Tribune staff writer

The few possessions Brian Burge and his wife had left after their home in White County was destroyed by floodwaters several months ago were lost Friday when a fire broke out at the house they were staying at on 430 Helm St.

“The folks that lived there were involved in the flooding in White County,” said Teddy Franklin, fire investigator for the Logansport Fire Department. “They lost everything in the flood, then they lost anything they could gather since.”

Franklin said the house, which was owned by Troy Smith, was considered a total loss. The brick exterior walls crumbled in on themselves and most of the structure collapsed down to the basement. Some of the house remained standing after the fire, but Franklin said it is not in danger of further collapse.

Four dogs and one cat perished in the house fire. A second cat initially escaped the flames by jumping out a window, but it did not survive, said Franklin.

The Logansport Fire Department responded to the fire at 1:42 p.m. and remained on scene fighting the flames until 5:41 p.m. Three engines, a rescue truck and two smaller support vehicles were sent to the scene.

Franklin said burn marks in the house indicated that the fire originated in the living room on the southwest corner, which was consistent with witness accounts. However, Franklin said the cause of the fire is undetermined because the building is not safe to enter for further inspection.

“There was structural compromise,” Franklin said. “The front wall of the building was about to fall out. It was bowed out and there were two large cracks on the front wall.”

Firefighters initially attempted to enter the house to knock down the fire but were pulled out because of the condition of the house.

Smith, who is the brother of one of the occupants, was planning to demolish the house, and after consulting with Logansport Building Commissioner Gary Hostetler and Street Commissioner Don Crain, firefighters decided to let the house burn rather than risk personal safety to try to save the structure.

“We were afraid that after we left the scene the house wouldn’t be secured,” Franklin said. “We were afraid children may go in and the building would fall down on them.

“There was no reason to risk injuries of the firemen,” said Franklin.

Firefighters were called back to the scene at approximately 8 p.m. after someone reported seeing smoke coming from the house.

Denise Forsberg can be reached at (574) 732-5151 or via e-mail at denise.forsberg@pharostribune.com


They have not asked for help I am asking we help them, if you are not in a position to help please pass this on so that it may reach someone that can, thank you Marty

I ask please dig deep for these people, just think if you were in their shoes

 

if anyone would like to help this family out with there loss, here is the donation box for them.



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I could'nt get the link to work.Please help these folks out.It sounds like they can realy use it.

 

This is so sad. They have the worst luck. I pray that God is with them and will bless them from now on. Some people are lucky that nothing bad ever happens to them and to hear this is very depressing. Also RIP to the animals lost.