Columbus home destroyed in early morning blaze; Family left homeless

A Columbus family lost their home last night when their camper burst into flames and the fire spread to their house.

The incident started when the residents were woken by a popping sound coming from the camper early this morning and found that it was burning. They tried to put out the fire with a portable extinguisher, but it continued to grow, leaping to the home itself in the 3800 block of Greenbriar Drive. Firefighters were called at about 12:48 a.m. this morning.

When crews arrived the fire had already made it into the attic space of the home and caused a partial collapse of the roof. Firefighters fought the blaze from outside and tried to protect neighboring homes says Capt. Mike Wilson. One of the neighbors had its vinyl siding melted away by the blaze.

Homeowner John Stetter told investigators that he, his wife, and two of their  three children were at home at the time of the fire. He said the camper was being charged from the home with an extension cord. The family had owned the camper since March.

The home and the camper were a total loss and damages are estimated at more than $250,000, Wilson said. The cause of the fire is undetermined. The family is being assisted by Salvation Army and American Red Cross.