Indianapolis
Sunday, July 1

(AP) …..Fire swept through the Walker Historical Museum in Indianapolis late last night resulting in an estimated 50 million dollars in damage to both the structure and its contents. The blaze was confined to the museum’s East Wing which houses early twentieth century exhibits and art. The Roaring Twenties documentation was completely destroyed.
     More than 75 firefighters from five city stations fought the blaze which reportedly started in the kitchen area. Fire station number 13 on Senate Avenue received the initial alarm at 10:12 pm and its firefighters arrived at the scene by 10:18 pm. A late night security guard, Ronald Joseph, making rounds reported the blaze.
     The cause has yet to be determined but officials on the scene are recommending that investigators look closely today at the electrical wiring. The museum was cited six months ago by the city planning commission for code violations and had promised to correct the problem areas.

      The fire had swept into the East Wing by the time firefighters arrived with most of its contents already engulfed in flames. Firefighters were successful, however, in limiting the damage to that one area. The main lobby and foyer did suffer minimal smoke damage but the West Wing was spared.
     Indianapolis Fire Chief, Austin James, praised the quick response of all the units in saving the overall structure and some of its contents, specifically citing the fighters of station number 13 for their leadership in containing the blaze.   “The flames were very intense by the time they arrived and they moved quickly to douse as much as they could to prevent it from spreading,” James said.
       The Roaring Twenties exhibit was housed in the farthest end of the East Wing and represented the 1920 to 1930 decade.  The Roaring Twenties exhibit was one of the most complete and in-depth presentations in the museum. Much of its art and artifacts had been donated by area residents or their descendants. Museum Director, Kevin Dennis, said that plans to rebuild the structure and replace the contents will begin as soon as possible.