Investigators can't find the cause of Frankfort fire

FRANKFORT — Investigators don't know how the Jan. 22 fire at 50 W. Washington St. started in downtown Frankfort.

Frankfort Assistant Fire Chief Ed Cripe published a brief statement late Wednesday afternoon indicating that investigators from Frankfort, Indiana State Fire Marshal's Office, the Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and private insurance companies spent a week sifting through the burned out building.

The investigators ruled out all accidental and intentionally set theories, leaving them to rule that the cause is officially undetermined, according to Cripe's statement.

The building has been turned over to the Frankfort Building Inspector's office, which will determine if the structures can be rebuilt or need to be demolished, Cripe said Thursday afternoon.

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Firefighters from Frankfort and Lebanon battled high winds and cold to fight the fire, which was reported at 9:30 a.m. 

It took most of the day to extinguish the flames and firefighters stayed at the site overnight to secure the scene and put out any hot spots that might pop up.

One Frankfort firefighter, Greg Miller — a 32-year veteran — injured himself while fighting the flames on the second floor, according to a news release published last week. Other firefighters near Miller rescued him and safely got him out of the building. 

He was treated at a Lafayette hospital and later released.

Reach Ron Wilkins at 765-420-5231 or at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.

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