LEBANON, Ind.
A fire gutted a building in Lebanon early Thursday morning.
The blaze broke out about 2 a.m. at Sun Communication on Coombs Street, and firefighters were still dousing hot spots after 6 a.m.
Police and firefighters described the building as a long pole barn filled with equipment and vehicles.
The building was fully engulfed by flames when firefighters arrived, RTV6's Julie Pursley reported.
Firefighters aren't sure if their efforts saved any of the equipment inside the building. Tires inside the building made battling the blaze more difficult.
"It was just big banging," said neighbor Rose Isenhower. "I was about ready for bed, and I thought, 'No, I'm not going,' and I got my car out of my garage because it was going higher than my house."
Firefighters went to nearby homes as smoke enveloped them, telling them to evacuate temporarily.
Two firefighters suffered minor injuries.
"There was a slight wall collapse, and some debris fell on a couple of firemen," said Lebanon fire Capt. Chuck Batts. "They were transported to Witham Hospital and were treated and released."
Sun Communications is a boring and trenching company that works on sewers, underground mines and other underground projects.
Owner Jim Rogers said the building housed equipment and vehicles used to install utility and cable lines.
"We have another location in Westfield. We had other peripheral equipment there, so we'll just keep moving on," Rogers said.
Fire investigators are not sure what sparked the blaze, but the state fire marshal was called in to investigate.Damage was estimated at more than $1 million, but Rogers said the building was insured.
Fire investigators are not sure what sparked the blaze.
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