Fire destroys Ireland home
Fortunately no one was injured but a family lost everything when a fire destroyed their rental home and damaged a neighboring home in Ireland early Thursday morning.
Ireland Volunteer Firefighters were notified of the residential fire at 4917 W. State Road 56 at about 1:07 a.m. Two Dubois County deputies were the first to arrive on scene and assisted in ensuring the Patrick Byrne family — who were renting the home — was safe.
According to deputies, the home was completely engulfed by this time.
The deputies noticed flames were being blown to the east towards a nearby residence owned by Lanny Robling. A deputy ran over to ensure the family there was awake. He beat on the doors until Lanny, his wife Kena and three children exited the home.
Firefighters attempted to quell the flames and dissipate the heat on the Robling home while fighting the fire next door. The home had several windows break or blow out from the heat and flames. Siding was damaged on the rear of the home.
According to authorities, the fire originated in the laundry room of the home owned by Bruce Terwiske but the Byrne family told authorities they had not been operating the laundry equipment prior to the fire.
Four trucks and 19 firefighters from Ireland were at the home for over three hours putting out the blaze and were briefly called back at around 6 a.m. for a flareup. A tanker truck from Jefferson Township also responded with four firefighters.
Dubois Rural Electric Cooperative and Memorial Hospital Emergency Medical Services also responded to the scene.
The Byrne family is staying with relatives but lost everything in the fire.
Clothing donations needed
Besides the school, the Ireland Fire Station at 5053 W. Main Street will be open to receive clothing donations.
The family needs:
–Men’s extra large shirts, 36X32 pants, 36X29 pants and size 10 1/2 shoes.
–Women’s 3X and 4X clothes.
–Girl’s junior size 9 clothes and 9 1/2 shoes.
–Children’s size 14 clothes for a girl and a boy with size 7 adults shoes.
