Dave O'Mara Workshop in North Vernon engulfed in Monday night fire

NORTH VERNON, Ind. — The North Vernon Fire Department(NVFD) and North Vernon Police Department(NVPD) responded to a fire that engulfed a Dave O'Mara's workshop. on 585 Ertel Lane in North Vernon on Monday night, January 12.

The North Vernon Fire Department received a call for a structure fire at 585 Ertel Lane in North Vernon around 12 am. Initial responding crews arrived to find a workshop belonging to Dave O’Mara on fire, with heavy fire coming from the shop area. Crews faced a heavy fire load, and a mutual aid request was made. Firefighters were on the scene for approximately 1.5 hours before the fire was declared under control, and another 1.5 hours to fully extinguish it.

The North Vernon Fire Department was assisted on the scene by Vernon Twp. VFD, Scipio-Geneva Twp. VFD, Campbell Twp. VFD, Spencer Twp. VFD, Westport Community VFD, Letts Community VFD, North Vernon PD, and Jennings County EMS.

There were no injuries during the incident. NVFD and the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office conducted the fire investigation on the morning of January 13, 2026, and found the cause of the fire to be accidental in nature.