Wanda English Burnett
Editor

A fire that destroyed a home in Delaware is under investigation, according to Delaware Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief Ron Bushhorn.

Firefighters responded to a call at 10:38 p.m. Monday, February 8, to find a home at 2867 E. State Road 350, fully engulfed in flames. It is uncertain if anyone was home at the time of the fire.

Due to the elements and extenuating circumstances, such as downed power lines, fighting the fire was a challenge, according to Bushhorn. He said the main power line was down, which left the town of Delaware pretty much in the dark. Also, phone and Internet connections were lost. In a town where cell phone usage is extremely limited, it made it rough for residents to have any way to call out. The snow came in around midnight, compounding further the situation.

Bushhorn noted that firemen were on the scene until the morning hours on Tuesday.
While there was one person burned in connection with the fire, Bushhorn could not say who or what the relationship, if any, was to the homeowners. He told The Versailles Republican that the fire was under investigation and he could not comment at press time.

Delaware firefighters were assisted by the Osgood, Milan and Sunman fire departments. Also assisting in the investigation are the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office.