House fire on Cottage Avenue displaces family
A house fire in the 1700 block of Cottage Avenue kept Columbus firefighters busy Friday morning.
Capt. Mike Wilson, spokesman for the Columbus Fire Department, says that three residents were able to escape the blaze, but at least five cats were killed. He says that firefighters were called to the scene at approximately 6:21 a.m.
A resident told investigators that shortly before the fire was discovered, the homes power went out. A breaker had tripped and was manually reset, allowing the power to return. About 20 minutes later, residents noticed a glowing light behind a closed bedroom door at the rear of the home. When they opened the door, fire was visible inside. They tried to put the fire out with water, but were unsuccessful.
Investigators reported the official cause of the fire as undetermined. Damages to the home were extensive and are estimated to be over $ 50,000 to structure and contents. The family has been displaced and are being helped by The Salvation Army.
Wilson says there were no working smoke detectors in the home.