Two Delphi homes lost to fires
By Kevin Schnepp Staff writer

Brewer Ave. fire in Delphi Monday destroys duplex

Two Delphi-area homes burned during the past week.

The Charles Gross residence of 6270W. CR300S. was declared a total loss after it burned Saturday night. Firefighters from Delphi, Cutler, Rossville, Burlington and Buck Creek responded to the blaze just before 9 p.m.

Tri-township Volunteer Firefighter Dennis Randle told the Comet Tuesday that no people were hurt in the fire but three dogs and one cat perished. He said no one was home when the fire broke out which took until around 4 a.m. Sunday to extinguish.

Randle said investigators who returned the following day to determine the cause could not rule out an outside wood-burning stove.

"All indications lead back to the stove," Randle said.

Another fire consumed most of a duplex apartment at 1497 N. Brewer Ave. in Delphi Monday. Randle said he believed the building was owned by a Battle Ground man.

Residents of the north end of the apartment were Angela Reed and her daughter and granddaughter. Reed's daughter Monica Cadwallader and her son lived in the south apartment.

Randle said Reed was home when the fire broke out and called for help at 11:17 a.m. Firefighters from Camden, Flora and Rockfield assisted Delphi.

A small gas explosion also occurred when firefighters entered the building, which caused the building to move from its foundation and blew the south wall out about six inches according to Randle.

Two firefighters were sent to the hospital for injuries sustained while fighting that fire. Delphi firefighter Pat Hankins sustained injuries to his neck when part of the duplex's ceiling collapsed. Camden fireman Jim Griffith twisted his ankle on a fire hose.

Randle said the fire seemed to have started in the rear of Reed's apartment.

"It seemed to be a total loss, at least on the north end," Randle said. "Since the building moved off its foundation it may have to come down."