UPDATE: Palestine Lake House Fire
Mentone and Burket fire departments were called to a house fire at Osprey Drive and South Mallard Road, near Palestine Lake, Mentone.
The fire was reported just after 5 p.m. in a single family residence at 5935 W. Osprey Dr.
According to Burket Fire Chief Kevin McSherry, the fire began in the southeast side of the home in an area utilized for utilities. Squad 70, the county’s fire investigation team, was called to determine a cause for the blaze. McSherry states the though there are a few leads on what could have started the fire, an official cause is stil undetermined at this moment.
McSherry estimates that damages to the home will equate to approximately $50,000 in home repairs. Though the flames were primarily within the attic of the home and little damage occurred within the actual living areas, McSherry says that debris, water and smoke fell into the home during the efforts to put the blaze out.
The home was being rented to four tenants by a currently unknown homeowner. Occupants of the home at the time of the fire included a mother and two sons ages 4 and 14. The father, who is a truck driver, was away on business at the time of the incident. According to McSherry, though the family did not sustain any injuries due to the flames and smoke, the 14 year-old was taken to Kosciusko County Hospital due to possible frostbite sustained from exiting the home without shoes or socks. McSherry states that he believes the boy is in stable condition at this time.
Upon receiving the call from dispatch, Burket Fire Department was informed that a dog was trapped within the home. The K-9 was discovered hiding within the home by firefighter Jon Lybarger and was returned to the worried family unharmed. A car collection belonging to one of the boys was also rescued from the flames for the family.