WEST TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — A commercial structure fire displaces six residents in West Terre Haute Sunday evening, and the building is a total loss.
According to Terre Haute fire chief, Bill Berry, the building located on the corner of U.S. 150 and Paris Avenue housed a bar as well as residential apartments.
“We are able to confirm, all occupants did get out of the building,” Sugar Creek Fire Chief, Darrick Scott said. “There’s been no injuries to firefighters or to civilians at this time.”
The American Red Cross was on the scene Monday afternoon, working to assist displaced residents.
Scott said his crew arrived on the scene around 7:30 p.m. Sunday night. Fire crews attempted an interior attack. With the fire in multiple locations of the structure and for the safety of his men, Scott said they pulled back into a defensive attack.
“Firefighters are safe. Again, long night,” Scott said. “We want to thank the Wabash Valley as far as support, for water, food for the firefighters. And we also want to thank our brothers and sisters throughout the Wabash Valley for their help.”
An excavating company was called in to bring the structure down.
“We’re going to go ahead and bring the rest of this building down,” Sittler said. “Then, we’re going to wait for the fire marshal’s report.”
“We have the state fire marshal’s office here,” Scott added. ” They’ve done some preliminary investigations, they’ve talked to residents, talked to the owners. They did fly the drone above it (the structure) to try to get pictures and to just look over the scene.”
“Right now, we don’t see anything that looks suspicious at this time,” Sittler added.
As the investigation continues, Sittler said he will keep WTWO informed. We’ll update this story as more information becomes available.
