WEST TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — No one was home when a housefire started in West Terre Haute, but it claimed the lives of several animals inside the edifice.
It happened around 6 p.m. at South Harmony Place. Fire departments from Honey Creek, Sugar Creek, and Shepherdsville were all dispatched to the fire. The home had working smoke detectors, but since no one was home alert neighbors contacted authorities.
No people were injured in the fire, which was ruled as accidental. Most of the damage was done inside the home in the kitchen. The family cannot stay in the home at this time. Authorities say the Red Cross is stepping in to help the family at the home.
Authorities say some animals did survive the flames and the fact that the family did have working smoke detectors provides an important reminder.
Josh Sittler, Sugar Creek Fire Public Information Officer, said, “We’re coming up into fire prevention week, next week actually and it’s very important to check your smoke detectors, get together with your families on if there’s a possible fire, if you hear your smoke detector, so test that smoke detector and be prepared.”
