The Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office issued a determination in a fire that destroyed the City Tavern Building at 415 Lakeshore Drive in Culver on Wednesday, Oct. 9.
Several fire departments responded to the scene shortly after 5 p.m. ET that day. They were there for several hours and were called back the next day after it rekindled. No injuries were reported.
Culver-Union Township Fire Chief Terry Wakefield informed the Culver Town Council members of the Fire Marshal’s determination during their meeting Tuesday night.
“We did quite a thorough examination and came up with a small determination of what started the fire which is our job,” said Wakefield. “We couldn’t prove that it was a started fire and we couldn’t prove that it wasn’t a started fire. So, it is undetermined at this time.”
Wakefield did note that the fire started in the southwest area of the building near the garage.
He added that it is still an active investigation which has been turned over to the Indiana State Police.
He stressed thanks to the responding fire departments which include the Plymouth, Monterey, and Leiters Ford Fire Departments, Culver-Union Township EMS and the Culver Police Department.
Council President Ginny Bess Munroe and the rest of the council expressed their thanks to the firefighters for their efforts.
“To see that much equipment keeping those surrounding houses from catching fire was truly remarkable,” commented Munroe.
Neighboring homes did sustain roof and siding damage and those claims are being handled by insurance agents. Council members noted that it could have been much worse.
An unstable remaining wall at the site is a concern as it is three feet away from a home. If it falls toward the home, it could cause more damage. That concern will be addressed by Town Attorney Jim Clevenger.
