A Baxter home was destroyed Monday morning along Bloomington Road.
Putnam County Assistant Fire Chief Wayne Globerger said first-responders were notified of the fire around 3:45 a.m.
“First units got on the scene and had heavy fire coming through the roof,” Globerger said. “There was a family home at the time and they were able to get out. The house was being remodeled completely and they were living in a small section of the house.”
Globerger said the family of four escaped unharmed during the fire as crews battled the blaze in below-freezing temperatures until around 6 a.m.
“The fire started somewhere in the area that was being remodeled. We’re still investigating that,” Globerger said. “We’ve ruled out any kind of foul play or anything like that. We’re positive it’s related to the remodeling. Due to the 17-degree temperatures and freezing water and all that kind of stuff, we called for assistance from Baxter Fire and Cookeville Fire. They each sent an engine and a chief officer to help.”
Crews were called back to the scene before 9:30 a.m. to extinguish the fire that had rekindled. The home is deemed a total loss.
