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Last updated on Saturday, March 2, 2013
(SEYMOUR) - Jackson County Department of Corrections still plans to move into a building in downtown Seymour, despite the facility sustaining damage in a fire Tuesday, Feb. 26.
Jordan Richart, of The Banner reports, the question that remains is when.
"I'd say it will move our move-in date back a bit," said J.L. Brewer, the agency's director.
The building's owners, attorney John Rothring and certified public account Mark John, had leased a portion of it to the agency for regional offices. Corrections employees just received their keys Monday. The fire was reported around 11 a.m. Tuesday.
"I had planned a meeting for furniture and was supposed to meet with them at 11:30, but by then the place was in flames," Brewer said. "We haven't done anything to it."
While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, Seymour Fire Chief Brad Lucas said the blaze started near the attic.
Traffic was detoured through downtown streets for more than two hours as fire and police crews responded to the scene. Streets reopened shortly after 1 p.m.
Brewer said the office did not sustain much fire or water damage, but mainly damage from the smoke that overtook the building.
"I don't know if we even had water damage," he said.
He said it would be too early to tell when the department could move in until Rothring and John heard back from their insurance company.
"We have an agreement, so we will move in when we can," he said.
The agency does case work for Jackson and Jennings counties. Its offices are currently located at 220 E. Walnut St., Suite 238, in Brownstown.
Brewer said he planned to review his lease Tuesday night and determine his next steps from there.
"From my understanding, [they are] going to get things up and running as soon as possible, and that's all we can ask for," he said.
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