Dubois firefighters respond to report of explosion, find house engulfed
A two-story home near Cuzco was destroyed in a fire last night.
According to authorities, Dubois Volunteer Firefighters were called to the report of an explosion on East Dubois-Cuzco Road. A short time later, Dubois County 9-1-1 received a second call reporting additional explosions in the area. 6435 N. Cuzco Road North.
Davenport woke up to the flames which were already very extensive at the back door. He made one unsuccessful attempt at extinguishing them. There were also two dogs in the home that perished.
Firefighters located the fire at 6435 N. Cuzco Road North where a two-story structure was completely engulfed in flames. Dubois firefighters called in units from Haysville and Celestine for tanker assistance.
Despite firefighters’ efforts, the house was destroyed along with a 5th wheel camper that was parked about 20 feet away from the home.
Jack Davenport and his wife Verna escaped from the home without injury. The couple’s dogs were killed in the fire.
They told firefighters they didn’t know how the fire started but that it started near the back porch of the home. Davenport said he woke up to the flames which were already very extensive at the back door. He made one unsuccessful attempt at extinguishing them before the couple vacated the home.
Mr. Davenport stated that they did not have insurance on the home and he could not confirm if the camper was insured either. He was in contact with the Red Cross and was going to receive assistance. The family would be staying at a neighbor’s house for the night and stated that he would have a place to stay long term as well.
The cause of the fire remains undetermined.
Dubois firefighters responded with three trucks and 25 men and were assisted by Celestine Volunteer Fire Department who had one truck and six men and Haysville Volunteer Fire Department who had one truck and eight men.
Memorial Hospital EMS was on scene as well for standby, but no one was injured. Units were on scene for a little over two hours.
