Wanda English Burnett, Editor

An early morning fire at an Elrod home claimed the lives of George Andrew, 85, and his wife, Belva, 80, on Sunday, December 7.

Stunned family members were at the scene on Sunday afternoon. “I just don’t know how to feel right now,” Summer Acra, granddaughter of the couple, told the Osgood Journal.

The couple’s daughter, Darla Eden said her parents had just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. She said they had been so close over the years and withstood many life events. “They were together...they were so close,” she sadly noted, saying their beloved pet, a little dog also perished in the fire.

“I thought a car had smashed or something,” Darla recalls the morning before 7 a.m. when she first was alerted that something was going on at her parent’s home just about 200 feet from her own. She looked out to see people walking around with flashlights to find out the true tragedy of what had taken place. The couple’s son Rick and family, also live close.

Information from the Indiana State Police noted that the victims were both pronounced dead at the scene by Ripley County Deputy Coroner, Jeff Thielking. They did not immediately identify the victims, saying an autopsy was scheduled at Dearborn County Hospital on Monday to positively identify them and determine the exact cause of death.

The fire is not of suspicious nature, according to officials. Investigators from the Milan Fire Department, Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office and Indiana State Police believe the fire started at or near a wood furnace in the basement. They say “it appeared there were numerous combustible materials near the wood stove that is likely what ignited the deadly fire.” Indiana State Fire Marshal Jim Skaggs commented, “People should make sure they do not store or leave combustible materials near wood stoves, fireplaces, or other areas where open flame is present.”

Milan firefighters were assisted by Dillsboro and Versailles fire departments at the scene, along with officers from the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office, Milan Rescue 30, Rescue 69, Ripley County Medic and the Indiana Department of Transportation.

Mr. Andrew was a former bus driver for the Milan School Corporation for a number of years, a foreman for the Ripley County Highway Department, a 4-H leader and well-known farmer in the area. Mrs. Andrew worked right up until last year at the Waters in Dillsboro, retiring at the age of 79.
The family suffered the loss of another family member, James “Pickle” Ellerman, husband of Beverly, who is the Andrew’s daughter. His visitation was held the same day as their deaths, bringing a triple tragedy to the already grieving family. “It’s just too much for one family to bear,” a close family friend told the Osgood Journal.

Funeral services are pending at Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home, Versailles, for the couple. Anyone wanting to make donations to the burial fund may do so in lieu of flowers at the US Bank at Dillsboro.

Sandy Vanderbur, executive director of the Ripley County Chapter of the American Red Cross, was working on helping to find funds to assist the family with the double burials.

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTO Pictured above: Firefighters and investigators were still on the scene of a fire at this Elrod home that claimed the lives of George and Belva Andrew on Sunday morning, December 7. Firefighters say the home caught fire in the basement near or at a wood stove. The photo, provided by family, at the right, is the couple recently celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary.