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November 25, 2014 • Headlines
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Amber Vaughn sorts packages at the Osgood Post Office. MARY MATTINGLY PHOTO |
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Jaxson Lynn plays in his backyard in June. He has learned sign language since attending St. Rita’s School for the Deaf. Read more about his story and others in the Osgood Journal. Pickup a copy at your local newsstand. SUBMITTED PHOTO |
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A Versailles man was aircared Thursday after falling from a tree stand, and 911 communications received the call from a third party around 1:45 p.m. Along with medics and EMTs, the sheriff’s office investigated and Versailles Fire Department was also on hand to assist. They carried the victim to a pick-up truck and then moved him to the helicopter, about 700 yards away. MARY MATTINGLY PHOTO |
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Local fire departments assist with huge North Vernon fire
Mary Mattingly
EDITOR
mmattingly@ripleynews.com
It took a massive effort to put out a massive downtown fire in North Vernon Friday. Over five counties and some 14 fire districts responded to help North Vernon Fire Department contain and extinguish a fire that spread to nine buildings in a historic part of downtown.
PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTH
VERNON PLAIN DEALER
Pictured left and below, about 14 fire departments, including Versailles, assisted the North Vernon Fire Department with a massive downtown fire Friday. The freezing temperatures challenged firefighters in the battle.
Versailles Fire Department was one of the fire departments called, with a request for their water tanker around 9:39 a.m., according to Fire Chief Ben Sieverding. They took six firefighters and another truck besides the tanker.
“Versailles helped move the fifth supply line when the aerial apparatus working the fire was repositioned when conditions changed,” Sieverding said. Osgood was put on standby for Versailles.
PHOTO COURTESY OF
NORTH VERNON PLAIN DEALER
The fire started in the rear of the Hatton Carpet Store building, according to North Vernon Fire Dept. Captain Brian Horton. No one was in the building at that time; however, the fire spread to nearby buildings. Two buildings were deemed a total loss, and about seven others had heavy fire damage, he said. The fire department had responded to a call just two weeks prior at the same building but on the second story. No one was in the building at the time.
Four firefighters were injured when a wall collapsed and were struck by debris. They had minor injuries and were released that day. Horton, who has been on the fire department for 15 years, commented, “It was a large magnitude fire.” Firefighters were challenged putting out the fire because of the freezing temperatures. The sprayed water became icicles on utility wires and the streets were slippery and ice covered. They were on the scene 24 hours, receiving the call around 5 a.m. on Friday.
PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTH VERNON PLAIN DEALER
Left, Versailles Fire Chief Ben Sieverding confers with Vernon firefighter Chris Hopkins. The cause of the fire is unknown, and the state fire marshal was on the scene investigating Friday and Monday morning.
Delbert Felix of Osgood, with the local Red Cross disaster team, was on the scene to assist residents displaced from the fire. They also set up three canteens with coffee and snacks for the many first responders. He was told at one time they had 60 firefighters there, and two ambulances. A shelter was set up at the Nazarene Church in North Vernon, with food, bedding and more. He reported all 22 people from the apartments used it at one time, with many staying overnight. He said it would be closed Monday. United Way and the Salvation Army worked with Red Cross to find temporary shelter for the people. Red Cross had been there two weeks ago for the apartment fire, where 17 people were evacuated and found shelter.
This historic section of town was undergoing million dollars worth of renovation from state Stellar Grant and other local grants. The downtown buildings are three of nearly 30 buildings in North Vernon targeted for renovations through the $18 million grant. US 50 East that runs through downtown was closed most of Friday due to the fire and recovery efforts. Horton said the citizens were very cooperative and they had no trouble with gawkers or onlookers. He expressed gratitude to the many firefighters and first responders sent from the region.
Mary Mattingly
EDITOR
mmattingly@ripleynews.com
It took a massive effort to put out a massive downtown fire in North Vernon Friday. Over five counties and some 14 fire districts responded to help North Vernon Fire Department contain and extinguish a fire that spread to nine buildings in a historic part of downtown.
PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTH
VERNON PLAIN DEALER
Pictured left and below, about 14 fire departments, including Versailles, assisted the North Vernon Fire Department with a massive downtown fire Friday. The freezing temperatures challenged firefighters in the battle.
Versailles Fire Department was one of the fire departments called, with a request for their water tanker around 9:39 a.m., according to Fire Chief Ben Sieverding. They took six firefighters and another truck besides the tanker.
“Versailles helped move the fifth supply line when the aerial apparatus working the fire was repositioned when conditions changed,” Sieverding said. Osgood was put on standby for Versailles.
PHOTO COURTESY OF
NORTH VERNON PLAIN DEALER
The fire started in the rear of the Hatton Carpet Store building, according to North Vernon Fire Dept. Captain Brian Horton. No one was in the building at that time; however, the fire spread to nearby buildings. Two buildings were deemed a total loss, and about seven others had heavy fire damage, he said. The fire department had responded to a call just two weeks prior at the same building but on the second story. No one was in the building at the time.
Four firefighters were injured when a wall collapsed and were struck by debris. They had minor injuries and were released that day. Horton, who has been on the fire department for 15 years, commented, “It was a large magnitude fire.” Firefighters were challenged putting out the fire because of the freezing temperatures. The sprayed water became icicles on utility wires and the streets were slippery and ice covered. They were on the scene 24 hours, receiving the call around 5 a.m. on Friday.
PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTH VERNON PLAIN DEALER
Left, Versailles Fire Chief Ben Sieverding confers with Vernon firefighter Chris Hopkins. The cause of the fire is unknown, and the state fire marshal was on the scene investigating Friday and Monday morning.
Delbert Felix of Osgood, with the local Red Cross disaster team, was on the scene to assist residents displaced from the fire. They also set up three canteens with coffee and snacks for the many first responders. He was told at one time they had 60 firefighters there, and two ambulances. A shelter was set up at the Nazarene Church in North Vernon, with food, bedding and more. He reported all 22 people from the apartments used it at one time, with many staying overnight. He said it would be closed Monday. United Way and the Salvation Army worked with Red Cross to find temporary shelter for the people. Red Cross had been there two weeks ago for the apartment fire, where 17 people were evacuated and found shelter.
This historic section of town was undergoing million dollars worth of renovation from state Stellar Grant and other local grants. The downtown buildings are three of nearly 30 buildings in North Vernon targeted for renovations through the $18 million grant. US 50 East that runs through downtown was closed most of Friday due to the fire and recovery efforts. Horton said the citizens were very cooperative and they had no trouble with gawkers or onlookers. He expressed gratitude to the many firefighters and first responders sent from the region.
