Published: June 04, 2009 01:26 pm      

Lightning blamed for Georgetown fire

Ind. 64 closed as firefighters battle blaze

Vicki Malone heard a loud boom. The next thing she noticed, her house was on fire.

“We could smell the burning,” she said looking at her charred home. “We grabbed the grandchildren and got out.”

Malone and three others — including two small children — escaped the house, located at 8840 Ind. 64 in Georgetown, without injury.

When firefighters arrived, smoke was coming out of a second-floor window and the roof area. Georgetown acting Fire Chief Rick Bader said it took firefighters only five to 10 minutes to have the fire under control. They spent the rest of the time looking for hot spots in the attic, which was insulated, he said.

Bader said a firefighter with the Lafayette Department lives nearby and also heard the boom.

“When we arrived, fire was coming out of every eve,” Bader said. “The firefighters were very efficient and did a heck of a job.”

Georgetown was assisted by Lafayette, Greenville and Lanesville fire departments. A stretch along Ind. 64 was closed for more than two hours while firefighters fought the blaze.

Bader said the water damage to the home was minimal, but there was quite a bit of damage to the second story and attic.

But Malone was just happy none of her family members were hurt.

“We got out, and that is what’s important,” she said.