A fire at the Driftside Trailer Park early Thursday morning brought out firefighters from the German Township Fire Department, as well as Clifford and Edinburgh. Matt Lynch, Deputy Chief of the German Township Volunteer Fire Department, says firefighters were called to the trailer park, at 13500 North US 31, just before 5 a.m. He says that a passerby noticed fire on the front porch and called 911 while also trying to alert those inside the home. Lynch says that the woman was able to wake the two males and one female inside. A Bartholomew County dispatcher was also able to talk to one of the residents and confirm that everyone was out of the trailer.

Lynch says that Edinburgh Fire Engine 41 arrived on the scene and knocked down the fire with a single hand line. Crews continued to extinguish hot spots and also check the house for any fire that could have extended into the walls. The fire was marked complexly extinguished at 5:20 a.m.

Investigators say the fire started next to the front deck. They say there was a five-gallon bucket of used motor oil that was on the porch, a lawn mower under the porch along with two bikes and a tall plastic trash can were all in the area of the fire. Lynch says that both bikes had the front tires melted away, the lawn mower sustained heavy damage and the trash and bucket of oil were completely consumed by the fire. The skirt around the mobile home had melted, however fire crews kept the fire from extending under the home.

The Bartholomew County Fire Inspector says the fire was accidental. He noted that it was likely started by discarded smoking materials in the trash can, which had smoldered overnight.

Fire officials say this incident should serve as a reminder about the importance of having working smoke detectors in your home. You are also reminded to make sure that your smoking materials are completely extinguished before discarding, preferably into a metal trashcan with non-flammable materials.