A fire early Saturday morning gutted a business north of the city.
Crawfordsville firefighters were dispatched at 4:16 a.m. Saturday to Sugar Creek Fabricators at 503 W. C.R. 300N.
Crawfordsville Fire Chief Scott Busenbark said the initial call, which likely came from a motorist traveling on nearby Interstate 74, came into the dispatch center as a grass fire. However, crews responding to the call quickly discovered the fire was far more extensive.
“When we arrived on the scene the fire had spread throughout the building, half the roof was gone and flames were visible,” Busenbark said.
With the closest fire hydrant nearly a quarter of a mile away near the Indiana Department of Transportation building, firefighters had to shuttle water to the scene.
The CFD used its tanker as well as those from Madison Township, Darlington, Waynetown and New Market fire departments to supply firefighters with sufficient water to battle the blaze that was consuming the one-story metal building.
Crews also were tasked with saving another building that was about 10 feet from the burning structure as well as protecting two propane tanks 20 feet away.
Busenbark said the department also used its two aerial trucks and tower truck to flow water onto the fire. Firefighters remained on the scene until around 9:30 a.m. Firefighters and a tanker were recalled before noon to extinguish a few hot spots that were uncovered.
The Indiana State Fire Marshal also arrived Saturday morning to conduct a preliminary investigation. He is expected to return this week to further investigate. At this time, a cause and origin of the fire has not been determined.
Sugar Creek Fabricators, which works with metals, also operated a refractory business at the site, and was leasing the property. Busenbark estimated the fire caused $2.5 million in damages to the approximately 19,000 square foot building. He did not have a damage estimate for the contents that were lost in the fire, nor the number of jobs lost.
There were no injuries reported.
