Fire damages three Terre Haute homes

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO) — An early morning fire that started in an abandoned house spread to two occupied homes.

According to Captain Nick Arnold of the Terre Haute Fire Department, the department was dispatched to a fire at 224 N 14 1⁄2 St at 6:42 a.m. Monday. When firefighters arrived they discovered that there were no utilities turned on at the abandoned house.

The houses on both sides were occupied, according to Arnold.

"The crew from the ladder truck did go into one of the homes to assist an disabled person out of the house," said Arnold. "The occupants from the other home were able to get out on their own."

It took firefighters approximately 90 minutes to knock down the fire. They were able to keep damage to the other homes to a minimum.

"They will be able to stay in their homes tonight," said Arnold.

Investigators were still on the scene as of this morning.