(La Porte County, IN) - A house was heavily damaged by fire over the weekend in Springfield Township.

 

According to La Porte County Police, emergency responders were called to the home at 6811 N. Indiana 39 just before 10 a.m. Saturday.

 

The homeowner, Christopher Woods, told investigators he and a woman also living there left about 5 a.m. and returned several hours later to find smoke billowing from all of the windows and doors, police said.

 

Upon arrival, officers spotted the 56 year old Woods throwing buckets of water into the home.

 

Woods told investigators the electricity to his residence had been turned off two days ago but no candles were used.  He said a fireplace in the home was used the previous evening but he insisted the fire was extinguished after he poured water on the burning wood.

 

Woods also said he had the chimney cleaned over the summer.

 

Police said Indiana 39 was closed from U.S. 20 to 800 North to allow firefighters from several departments to safely put out the blaze.