It's kind of strange watching your own house burn down. No people were hurt, but two dogs, which belonged to Ernie Ford's sister, died from smoke inhalation. While driving home from Cloverdale, Ernie Ford saw smoke drifting across the sky. He would later realize that the smoke was from his own house. The cause of the fire is still undetermined, said Bill Newgent, Greencastle fire chief.
Further investigation is needed because of structural damage.
Ford says insurance will cover the damages to the house, which the Fords have owned for nine years. According to Newgent, the fire might have started on the first floor. From there, it set fire to the walls, then the ceiling and, eventually, the attic. The roof of the 1920s balloon-constructed home was originally made of wood shakes. Later owners added plywood and asphalt, which made the roof heavy.