WEST TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — UPDATE: No one is hurt after crews fought two-structure fires in the early morning hours on Thursday. Exterior trash outside the building is believed to be the cause of the fire.
Approximately just before 4:30 a.m., officials were dispatched to the 400th block of National Ave for a structure fire.
The fire originally started at an old laundromat, that was an unoccupied building but undergoing renovations. It then spread to the nearby liquor store, Big Red Liquor Store.
“When we first arrived, West Terre Haute advised there was some trash next to the building that was on fire,” said Assistant Fire Chief at Sugar Creek Fire Department, Jared Dougherty. “Once they investigated, they realized (trash) had gotten into the building.”
No one was hurt in the fire.
Both building suffered significant damage. The unoccupied building is believed to be a total loss. The liquor store sustained interior and exterior damage.
“It was about four hours by the time we were all set and done,” said Dougherty.
Due to the low temperatures, roads were icy during a period of time due to fire tankers hauling water.
“Obviously the temperatures hindered us a little bit. It was 17 degrees when the call came out. We contacted West Terre Haute Street Department to put salt and sand down. The Indiana Department of Transportation provided salt once we were cleared of the scene,” said the Assistant Fire Chief of Sugar Creek.
Terre Haute Fire Department was on scene with Engine and Ladder help. Multiple tankers from surrounding departments in the county provided support.
The fire is still an on-going investigation at this time. WTWO will continue to provide updates as we receive them.
W. National Avenue has reopened following an early morning fire Thursday morning that spread to a second structure. Roads in the area may be icy as a result of tankers hauling water to the scene, leaking onto the roadways.
ORIGINAL STORY: Firefighters are on the scene of a fire in West Terre Haute that spread to a nearby building.
It happened in the 400th block of National Ave shortly before 5 am. Our crew on scene said the fire spread to a nearby liquor store.
West National Ave is blocked going in both directions.
Vigo County Dispatch warns drivers to avoid the area. Roads in that area may be icy due to all of the fire tankers hauling water to the scene.
Stay with mywabashvalley.com for the latest developments.
