Local

Fire causes ‘significant damage’ to farmhouse south of West Milton

UNION TWP., Miami County — UPDATE @ 11:55 p.m.

Fire crews are expected to remain on scene into the early morning hours Saturday after a fire broke out Friday night at a Frederick Garland Road farmhouse south of West Milton.

“We were dispatched out to a structure fire fully engulfed,” said Ken Saunders of the Laura Fire Department.

Nobody was home at the time of the fire reported around 8:30 p.m., but the American Red Cross chapter will be contacted to assist the residents, he said.

The cause of the fire and estimated losses to the structure and contents are not determined.

“The damage is substantial,” Saunders said.

Although the department was able to maintain a steady water supply through tanker trucks and mutual aid from area departments, including Pleasant Hill, Ludlow Falls and West Milton, the age of the house posed a challenge, he said.

“Anytime that you’ve got an old farmhouse you’ve got repairs and updates that’s went on over time, so you’ve got ceilings over ceilings, plaster lathe ... that’s all worked against us.”

There were reports of pets inside the home, but Saunders said he was unable to confirm.

UPDATE @ 9:30 p.m.

Family members were all able to escape a fire that broke out tonight inside a two-story farmhouse south of West Milton.

An hour later, the home was still burning with heavy smoke billowing into the sky, and crews were called from Arcanum to the scene to provide extra manpower.

FIRST REPORT

Crews were called tonight to a fire that broke out at a two-story farmhouse.

The fire was reported around 8:30 p.m. in the 11100 block of West Frederick Garland Road, according to the Miami County Sheriff’s Office.

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According to initial reports, the back of the home was engulfed when firefighters arrived.

Mutual aid was requested from area fire departments, including Pitsburg, to assist crews at the scene.

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