Historic Indiana Courthouse Goes Up in Flames

May 21, 2009
A Southern Indiana community is picking up the pieces this morning after a fire destroyed an historic courthouse.

MADISON, Ind. --

A Southern Indiana community is picking up the pieces this morning after a fire destroyed an historic courthouse.

Arson investigators were called to the scene in Madison after flames torched the Jefferson County Courthouse, engulfing its gold-colored dome.

The fire broke out at about 6 p.m. Wednesday. The courthouse is located at 300 East Main St.

Fire crews from across southern Indiana and northern Kentucky were called to the scenic Ohio River town to battle the blaze.

A witness said that part of the roof collapsed. No injuries have been reported.

Jefferson County Prosecutor Chad Lewis said crews had been renovating the dome in preparation for Madison's bicentennial, June 6 through June 14.

When firefighters arrived they found the dome of the 154-year-old courthouse engulfed in flames. Smoke billowed hundreds of feet into the air and flames shot out the top of the building.

An August 2006 fire damaged two other downtown buildings, including the former city hall.

Copyright 2009 by WLKY.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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