Fire on East Purlee Road

Firefighters from three departments assembled at a home on E. Purlee Road just before 9:45 a.m. Tuesday to battle a housefire that destroyed a home and everything in it.

Pierce-Polk Township Fire Chief Jeff Miller said Nicki Herzog told him she was stoking up the wood burning stove when she noticed flames around the ceiling of her rental home at 1061 E. Purlee Rd. She was the only one home. Her four children, ages 5 to 13, were at school. Fortunately, no one was injured.

Miller said 13 firefighters from Pierce-Polk, Salem Fire Department and Jackson Township arrived, filling four tankers at least once before the fire was out, dumping around 16,000 gallons on the blaze. He said firefighters were on the scene around four hours and had the fire under control by two hours after they arrived.

Friends and family of Herzog have set up a GoFundMe page to help the family recuperate. By 11 a.m. Wednesday, the fundraiser had gathered about $500, half of the fundraiser’s goal. Herzog’s coworker and neighbor, Adrienne Thomas, said donations of clothing are also being collected. The two younger girls wear size 5-6 and between 11 and 1 in shoes. Herzog’s son wear a 10-12 in boys clothing and a 2 in shoes. The oldest daughter wears a medium in juniors and 8.5 to 9 in shoes. Nicki wears a large or extra large. Donations can be dropped off at Autumn Woods Health Campus, 2911 Green Valley Rd., in New Albany at any time. Thomas said those who can’t make the trip to New Albany can contact her via Facebook or by phone at 502-297-4475 to make other arrangements. She said to leave a message if she doesn’t answer.