Fire destroyed this 3,200 square foot home early Saturday morning, Feb. 12. The home is located at the corner of Lilac and Goldilocks lanes, in Enchanted Hills, on the northeast side of Lake Wawasee.

By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

CROMWELL — A home at 9169 E. Lilac Lane, Cromwell, on the northeast side of Lake Wawasee in Enchanted Hills at the corner of Lilac and Goldilocks lanes, was destroyed by fire early Saturday morning, Feb. 12.

Three occupants and two dogs escaped without injury, however they have been left with only the clothes they wore to escape. Turkey Creek Fire Territory has been requested to assist the occupants by accepting donations of items on behalf of the family.

Items being requested are:

Women’s large tops and sweatshirts, medium and large bottoms and pajamas, size 7 shoes and boots and size 9 shoes and boots.

Men’s large or X-large tops and sweatshirts, large pajamas and sweats, size 30/32 jeans, size 10 shoes and boots and socks.

Money and gift cards are also welcome.

Items for the dogs include beds for the two dogs, leashes and collars, food and water bowls and dog toys. Dog food is also needed. While the dogs normally eat Iams, any brand is OK. One dog weighs 42 pounds, the other weighs 60 pounds.

Other items needed are toiletries such as toilet paper, paper towels, household cleaners, laundry detergent, fabric softener sheets. Basically, anything that they will need for a rental house such as bath towels, hand towels, wash clothes, dish clothes, kitchen towels, bed pillows, blankets or throws, storage containers, zip lock bags, aluminum foil, saran wrap, a set of pots and pans, pizza pans, cookie sheets, drinking cups, dishes, silverware, trash cans and bags, cooking utensils.

A view from the back.

Donations can be taken to the Fire Department Administrative Assistance office in the Syracuse Town Hall, 310 N. Huntington St., between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The American Red Cross is providing immediate assistance to the occupants of the home.

Turkey Creek Fire Territory responded at 3:55 a.m. Saturday, to a report of a chimney fire that had spread to the roof of the home. When the first fire personnel arrived, flames were visible on most of the roof structure. The three occupants and two dogs were reported to have been inside of the home when the fire was discovered by the occupants and they were able to escape.

There were operational smoke alarms inside the home at the time of the fire, although the smoke alarms reportedly did not activate due to the fire initially being above the level of the smoke alarms, in the attic area and on the roof of the structure.

The fire was brought under control at 5:28 a.m. All fire crews cleared the scene at 9:12 a.m.

Approximately 40 firefighters from five departments battled the 3,200 square foot structure fire. The single family two-story home was built in 1994.

Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory, Benton Township, Cromwell/Sparta Township and Milford/Van Buren Township fire departments all provided assistance. Milford/Van Buren Township Fire Department and Lutheran EMS provided stand by assistance for Turkey Creek Fire Territory.

The property owner is listed as Debra Anderson. The structure and contents are considered a total loss as a result of the fire with damages estimated at over $500,000.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Information regarding assistance to the occupants and dogs is available on the Turkey Creek Fire Territory Facebook page. The fire territory officials would like to express appreciation in advance to the community for always showing up to help local residents in need.

A view from the back.