Sandborn Fire Trouble

SANDBORN, IND. (WTHI) -       A downtown fire leaves a small southern Indiana community with a mess to clean up.

     Last week fire fighters from all over northern Knox County were called out to battle a blaze in downtown Sandborn.

     The fire may be out, but the community is now dealing with what could turn out to be a pricey clean-up.

     Last Thursday flames filled the night sky in downtown Sandborn.

     The blaze spread to 4 buildings before it was put out.

     Now, wisps of smoke still are coming from a pile of rubble that is just part of the clean up problem.

     "By the fire department's request we went ahead and tore those down because they were a hazard to anyone driving down the main street here," said Sandborn Town Board President Ralph Heshelman.

     The 2 buildings next door were also damaged but the town has left them standing for now awaiting a report on whether they contain asbestos.

     Officials say the old buildings had changed hands several times and right now they are not even certain who owns them, but they also say they know they have a mess and they will have to take care of it.

     "It's going to be expensive," said Heshelman.  "We're trying to find the budgeting to do so, but we're ok with that."

     One thing making the bitter problem a little easier is that at least one area business has stepped up and volunteered to handle part of the clean up.

     "Arnett's Excavating, owned by Clayton Ramsey, has donated their equipment and time to clean this mess up for us," said Heshelman.

     The town will still have to find funding for trucks to haul off the debris and fees for dumping it.

     That cost though could be beyond the small town's capabilities if it turns out that the ruined buildings have asbestos in them.

      The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the State Fire Marshal.