Fire destroys , damages three businesses on Christmas morning

Happened near Hidden Valley Lake

(LAWRENCEBURG, Ind.) – Three businesses were heavily damaged or destroyed after a fire near the entrance to Hidden Valley Lake on Christmas morning. 

The businesses are located at State Line Road and Stephens Road and they are Civista Bank, Sibcy Cline Real Estate office and a boutique that just opened in the past month.

Around 10 a.m., witnesses saw smoke coming from the boutique and firefighters arrived moments later to find heavy fire coming from the center of the building. 

“Not long after getting water on it, we pulled our crews out of the boutique because we were concerned the roof would collapse, which it did,” said Greendale Fire Chief Shannon Craig. 

The fire spread from the boutique and destroyed the Sibcy Cline office and heavily damaged the Civista Bank branch. 

Greendale Fire was assisted by 10 different agencies and there was a total of 70 firefighters on the scene this morning. 

Chief Craig is praising the firefighters who came out to serve the community on Christmas morning. 

“I am sure many of them were sitting around a tree getting ready to open gifts or having breakfast with family. But, they all dropped what they’re doing to be here and battle this fire,” Craig said. 

The other departments are Lawrenceburg, Aurora, Miller-York, Bright, Manchester, Sunman, Whitewater Township, Harrison and Miami Township.

One of the businesses told The 812 that there will be 24/7 security detail on the property out of a precaution due to the nature of the businesses.

Here is a photo of the fire submitted by Tyler Ballard: