Fire marshal investigating house fire in Middletown

Neighbors said Middletown police took a man into custody near the scene but it was unclear if he was involved with the fire. Lolli said no one was living there at the time of the blaze.

Neff, 57, said his brother’s German shepherd, Gypsy, was found by firefighters and was given oxygen. The dog was taken to a local veterinarian to be evaluated. He said his mother, Betty Plowman, 86, lived in the house for a number of years but now resides in a local nursing home. Neff said his family bought the house when he was a freshman in high school and it was the first time the family had indoor plumbing. Throughout the years, Neff said he made extensive renovations to the house.

“But now, that’s all gone,” he said. “This is a sad day.”

While firefighters continued to douse the house with water, several of Neff’s grandchildren stood nearby and comforted each other.

It was the family’s plan to put the house up for sale after the contents were removed.

As of 5:30 p.m. Middletown and Monroe firefighters remained on the scene. Fire Marshal Bob Hess was also on scene investigating the fire. Lolli said the house was a total loss and no damage estimates were available.

Middletown fire and medic crews remain on the scene of a house fire in the 3100 block of Omaha Street.

According to Fire Chief Paul Lolli, firefighters were called out at 3:40 p.m. and found the home’s porch on fire upon arrival. Lolli said the fire appeared to go from the porch onto the first floor and spread to the second floor.

A dog that was found in the house was resuscitated by firefighters.

Neighbors believe that no one was living at the house at the time of the blaze. However, neighbors said Middletown police did take a man into custody near the scene and it was unclear if he was involved with the fire.

In addition to the four fire engines responding from Middletown, one engine also responded from Monroe. A city of Franklin fire unit also responded as a reserve unit.

Lolli said the house was a total loss but did not have damage estimates available.