A home at 5297 S. Country Club Rd. caught fire just before 1 a.m. Wednesday, Three area fire departments were called to the scene. (Photos by Stacey Page)
The Kosciusko County chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting a Claypool family displaced early this morning in a house fire.
Claypool Fire Department was initially dispatched at 12:40 a.m. to 5297 S. Country Club Rd. for a report of heavy smoke coming from the second story of the single family home. Upon arrival, firefighters called for full assistance from Warsaw and Winona Lake fire departments.
County records indicate the home is owned by Jeffrey and Heidi Buit of Syracuse. The occupants of the home were David Saint, his daughter, Kay Scheuer and four children: Ariel Denz, Daniel Haab, Jazzmine Denz and Gene Denz IV. The Red Cross is assisting the family with food, clothing and shelter.
Squad 70, the county’s fire investigation team, was called to the scene to investigate a cause the blaze. Squad 70 Chief Gordon Baker said the fire started and was contained in an upstairs bedroom where the power cord of a portable heater shorted out and ignited clothing on the floor. No damage estimate was available.
Multi-Township EMS was also called to stand by at the scene, but no injuries were reported and all occupants of the home were out of the residence when fire crews arrived.
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