On April 26th, 2024, around 7:30 pm, Sullivan Fire was dispatched to a residential structure fire, with St Clair and Bourbon Fire Districts toned out for the assist. I arrived ahead of the firefighters, as this is only a few blocks from my house…Sullivan Police and some scanner listeners were on scene as well when I arrived and parked over by Central Market. I walked over to the east side of the residence and photographed the heavy brown smoke coming from everywhere…

Sullivan Firefighters arrived shortly after and began looking for the source of the fire…

…and once found, stretched a hoseline to the east side of the house, deciding to break into the wood wall to the rear partition….

…where the seat of the fire was located…possibly set by vagrants…this was the residence several years ago of Dr Ronald Scott, and the partition in the rear of the basement was his office. His daughter, Ronnie Schmidt, was the Music teacher of Sullivan Schools and very well liked. The residence has been vacant for some time and believed used by the homeless.

AVI 144 House Fire Meredith Lane near Old Central Market 2024-0426

AVI 154 House Fire Meredith Lane Near Old Central Market 2024-0426

AVI 159 House Fire Meredith Lane Making Entry to old Dr Office