Fire Crews Respond to Winamac Business Fire, Sunday

Firefighters were called to a business in Winamac after a report of a fire on Sunday.

According to officials with the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department, Jenkins Service and Tire Sales, located in the 400 block of North Monticello Street, is the site of the blaze.

Despite responding within minutes after the call came in around Noon on Sunday, the structure was heavily damaged by fire.

Hotspots continue to be battled now that the flames have largely been extinguished.

Winamac fire investigators have started the work of determining a cause. Fire Chief Bill Weaver says they believe an employee at the company was working on a vehicle when it allegedly started on fire. The Indiana State Fire Marshall’s office was called to the scene to investigate the cause of the fire as well.

As of Sunday evening, the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department was requesting that motorists avoid the area of State Road 14 W and Highway 35 until the flames have been extinguished.

Weaver says the flames melted wiring that provides electrical utilities to a significant portion of Winamac, leaving the area without power. Housing adjacent to the business saw windows and siding damaged by the flames. NIPSCO is actively working to restore power at this time.

Multiple fire departments, including: Winamac, Star City, Francesville, Bass Lake, and Knox were called to assist. No injuries were reported.

The business location is considered a total loss.