Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Since last Thursday, March 27 firemen from Ripley County have responded to two fires where a total of three vacant buildings have burned.

A vacant house fire just north of Napoleon (3127 South US 421) that occurred last Thursday, March 27 is being investigated as arson, according to information from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS). The home is located in Decatur County.

Firefighters from the Napoleon Fire Department responded to the fire after a call came in about 4:46 a.m. last Thursday saying the house was on fire. The house had been vacant for several months and had no electricity or utilities hooked up, according to officials.

The Napoleon Fire Department, Indiana Fire Marshal and the Indiana State Police are asking the public for any information regarding the incident. Callers can remain anonymous. A $5,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest in the case. If you know or have information about what started the fire, please call the Arson Hotline at 1-800-382-4628.

At approximately 2:45 a.m. Monday, March 31 Milan firefighters responded to 5933 US 50, Elrod, where two vacant buildings were on fire. “They were pretty much gone by the time we got the call,” noted Lt. Mike Alloway. He said the buildings had been vacant for years and there were no injuries in the incident. Versailles Volunteer Fire Department was called for mutual aid. Alloway said the cause of the fires had not yet been determined. Milan firemen would have a busy morning as they left the Elrod fires and were called for mutual aid with the Moores Hill Fire Department.

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTO Not much was left of these vacant structures at 5933 US 50 near Elrod after they burned in the early morning hours on Monday, March 31. Milan firemen responded to the call and when they arrived the buildings were nearly destroyed by fire. The rubble is all that remains with a chimney stack standing and in one area some stairs.