Jenkins Fire Determined to be Accidental

 
 

Hotspots continued to be battled Monday morning after a major fire in Winamac over the weekend.

Fire crews responded to Jenkins Service and Tire Sales, located in the 400 block of N. Monticello, Sunday afternoon. Multiple fire departments from Starke and Pulaski County battled the flames for several hours. Traffic advisories were made for motorists to stay clear of the area while the work was being conducted.

Winamac Fire Chief Bill Weaver says that after some investigation with the help of the State Fire Marshall’s office, they have officially determined the fire to be accidental.

Weaver says an employee welding a vehicle inside of the shop was the alleged cause of the blaze when material inside the structure caught fire.

Despite leaving the scene around 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, Winamac fire crews have been called back to the scene three times to battle hotspots in the rubble.