Cause of Colonial Crest fire still unknown; arson ruled out

A pond in the complex was the nearest water supply, but because the pond had turned to ice firefighters had to access water at a hydrant more than half a mile away at Morrison Road and Peach Tree Lane.

The first truck at the scene ran out of water in a matter of minutes. All but two tanker trucks then responded to aid in retrieving water from the hydrant.

Firefighters didn't drill into the ice because of safety concerns, Richards said.

"It all depends on the circumstances and weather conditions," Richards said. "They didn't warrant it at the time." The Indiana Uniform Fire Code does not require complexes like Colonial Crest to have fire hydrants within a certain distance of each other because they are considered private property, Muncie Chief Inspector Joe Scott said.

Some source of water is required, however, like a private hydrant system. The pond at Colonial Crest meets that requirement, Scott said.

"The fire load was so heavy and spread so rapidly that it's hard to say if closer hydrants would have made a difference," Richards said. "That's the nature of the beast when you're fighting fires."

Colonial Crest provided shelter at the apartment complex for everyone who lost their home from the fire, a spokesperson said. Other apartment complexes in Muncie offered help but Colonial Crest was able to accommodate all of its own tenants.