Columbus Firefighters responded to the first house fire of the year on Thursday. They say this marks the third fire at the home, at 2143 23rd Street, since 2014. Capt. Mike Wilson, spokesman for the Columbus Fire Department, says that firefighters were called at approximately 4:36 a.m. due to a flue fire. He adds that when firefighters arrived, they found the three adult occupants and a dog had escaped the home. Firefighters entered the residence and quickly located the fire above a wood burning stove in the home’s living room. Crews reported the fire under control within 20 minutes.

Columbus Fire Department investigators have classified the fire as accidental in nature, and have determined that the fire was a result of combustible materials igniting near the chimney flu and wall. According to investigators, the house did not have electrical service utilities and the primary heat for the residence was the wood burning stove. A CFD report from the 2016 incident noted that the house had no electric, gas or water service. In fact, the report states that the home had been disconnected from gas service since 2009. Wilson says that GIS information indicates that the owner of the home is Sherry Rae Bornman, of Freetown. The occupants, who were displaced as a result of the fire, are being provided shelter aid through the Salvation Army.

Wilson says that the 2014 fire incident was caused by a space heater, while the 2016 and 2018 incidents were both attributed to a wood burning stove. Due to the amount of unrepaired damages caused by previous fires, investigators were unable to determine a current damages estimate dollar amount.

No Injuries were reported.