Several families displaced by house fires this weekend

Three local families are displaced days before the Thanksgiving holiday, and two of them learned untimely lessons about fire safety.

Four unrelated fires broke out this weekend in Johnson County, and community members and fire departments came together to help the families in need.

Two fires were reported Saturday in New Whiteland, about 10 hours apart, making for a busy day for the town’s fire department, said Dale Saucier, New Whiteland fire chief.

The more damaging of the two broke out at 2:22 p.m. in the 100 block of Brookside Drive and caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage, a total loss for the family, Saucier said.

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The family evacuated safely but lost two cats and a dog in the fire, said Brittany Yount, who lived at the house with her parents, the only home she’s ever known.

“For something (like this) to happen makes you sad and hurt, but makes you more thankful to be alive,” Yount said.

The family had lived at the house since 1999. Immediately, friends, neighbors and strangers came to their rescue, she said.

“The community jumped into action without any if, ands or buts," Yount said. "From the firefighters to the police, the company that helped board the house up, and the community that has so quickly and graciously given what they can and more.”

Shortly after the fire Saturday afternoon, neighbors posted in the New Whiteland community Facebook group about clothing needs, and the family received an outpouring of support. Just this weekend, two area families collected more than enough items to help the Younts get by for now, she said.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated, but it appears to be accidental, Saucier said.

Hours before, a fire broke out about 4:42 a.m. in the 900 block of Princeton Drive, as the family was sleeping, said Saucier. Luckily, the family’s smoke alarms woke them up and they were able to get out safely and without injury, he said.

The fire started in the garage and was largely contained there, besides smoke damage and damage to the electrical system which cut power to the whole house, Saucier said.

The fire is believed to have originated from a pile of rags that were soaked with polyurethane and left in the garage after a crafting project. It is likely that the rags spontaneously combusted and set the garage on fire when the chemical heated up, he said.

The family said Monday they are safe and have gotten the help they need.

A space heater caused another fire Friday night, in the 400 block of W. County Road 375 S in Trafalgar, said Mark Dunn, Trafalgar fire chief.

The homeowner told firefighters he left for about 15 minutes and came back to his house on fire, Dunn said. The short time it took for the blaze to break out highlights the importance of making sure space heaters are kept at least three feet away from other household items, he said.

Though most of the house is a loss, the doors to two rooms were closed and, as a result, virtually untouched, Dunn said. This proves the adage “close before you doze,” which encourages people to sleep with their doors closed, allowing more time to escape during a fire, he said.

Bargersville and Franklin firefighters responded to all four fires. Amity, Greenwood, Whiteland and White River Township also assisted.