Fire Rages in Abandoned Home on Linwood Avenue

From the IFD: Heavy fire showing from the north side of a two story double greeted firefighters upon arrival at 338 N Linwood Ave this evening shortly after 11:30 pm. Firefighters from Station 27 encountered holes in the floor, fire that ran from the basement to the attic and debris 4 feet thick as they fought this fire. Neighbors in the area believe the house to be vacant however they said that people are in and out of the house at all hours of the night. Many are believed to be homeless according to a gentleman that lives a couple doors down. It took an aggressive interior attack by firefighters about 20 minutes to get this fire under control. Houses located on both sides of the double, about 10-15 feet away each, were kept out of fire danger as dedicated water streams on both sides kept the exposures clear. Neighbors worry that the burned house will now be a blight on the neighborhood and firefighters say that houses such as this with so much debris are a danger to firefighters that may have to return here on another call. No injuries were reported on this fire. According to Battalion Chief Joe Krebsbach, damage is estimated at 40,000 dollars. IFD/IMPD fire investigative units are on the scene trying to determine cause and origin.