Rash of Fires Hit Vacant Homes in Indianapolis

IFD/IMPD Fire Investigators were out on another vacant house fire this evening, reports IFD Capt. Rita L. Reith. Authorities estimate that in the last month they have run on approximately 20 house fires in vacant residences. While some of them are ruled malicious, most they say are “warming fires” started by homeless who seek shelter in these boarded up homes. Firefighters responding to these fires are worried that someone is going to get hurt..and they hope it’s not one of them.

Shortly before 8 pm this evening, firefighters were dispatched to the area of 10th and Tacoma for a house fire. Upon arrival, Engine 27 reported Heavy fire coming from the rear of a two story, wood frame double residence. This is the 3rd time since July that this same house has been set on fire. 12 IFD units responded to this fire and shut down several blocks of 10th street in the 2400 block area for about 2 hours. Firefighters made a quick interior attack on the fire but worry that the continued compromised integrity of the house will cause one them to get injured while fighting the fire. Large holes in the floors, burned out staircases and weakened roof structures all make for treacherous ground inside the burning structure.

Residents who live in the area are scared and angry. They say that homeless people make their way into the home, regardless of the boarded up doors and windows. Gary and Dana Bohannon, live next to the house with their two young sons and their dog Indy..a pit boxer mix. They had to evacuate their home this evening, in bare feet, as the flames from the residence next door, less than 10 feet away, threatened their home. They say they are mad that careless fires are being set for warmth. Gary noticed the large volume of flame as he was walking back home from an errand. He ran inside and told his wife and sons to get out of the house. This is the third time they have stood outside and watched, hoping it didn’t damage their house.

Another issue firefighters dealt with as they fought this fire was a gentleman who carelessly drove over the supply line to the fire hydrant causing it to split and water pressure to the hose lines affected. While every attempt is made by both firefighters and IMPD to get the streets secured in a timely fashion, sometimes people drive over the hose with disregard for firefighter safety. The supply hoses that firefighters lay to hydrants are not built to withstand the friction and pressure of an automobile driving over it. They are clearly visible, with their bright yellow covering and should never, ever be driven over. In this case, another citizen who witnessed the car driving over the hose, got the drivers information and turned it over to IMPD.

The Indianapolis Fire Department would like to remind everyone to be alert for anyone trespassing into these vacant homes and setting fires. While the need for warmth as the weather grows colder is certainly understood, we do not want anyone to get hurt by the careless setting of fires inside a home. Please call crime stoppers at 262-tips and let them know if you see any suspicious activity. Firefighters had the fire under control in about 15 minutes and no injuries were reported. According to Battalion Chief Dave Harris, the damage is estimated at $10,000.

Car Punches Hole in House While Woman Sleeps

From the IFD: Winnie Withers who lives at 8604 E 37th Place woke up this morning to her dog "Bear" barking only to find an 8 by 8 foot hole in the East side of her one story brick ranch home. Sometime after she went to sleep last night and before she awoke this morning, someone drove into the side of her home and left. A Hit and Run. No one in the home was injured and damage is estimated at 15,000 dollars. Ms. Withers stated that she did not hear or see anything until a neighbor knocked on her door to see if she was ok after noticing the hole. Ms. Withers states the hole sits where her kitchen is, and had she been awake she would have probably been sitting at the desk located there. IMPD on the scene says that the vehicle was heading West on Dewberry when it left the road, went across the street into her yard, glanced off a large tree and into the East wall of the house. They then backed up and left. Due to the magnitude of the impact they assume extensive damage to the car, airbag deployment and possible injury to the driver. The house is uninhabitable at this time and IFD Victims Assistance was called. However, Ms. Withers will be staying with someone at her church tonight. IFD'S Collapse Rescue Team (CRT) was called out to stabilize the structure.

Regarding the earlier run at 8604 E 37th Pl. Ms. Withers awoke at approximately 7:40 am. It is unclear at what she went to bed last evening. IFD was dispatched at 8:01 am. Also the correct spelling of the street is Dubarry.

Fire Rages in Abandoned Home on Linwood Avenue

From the IFD: Heavy fire showing from the north side of a two story double greeted firefighters upon arrival at 338 N Linwood Ave this evening shortly after 11:30 pm. Firefighters from Station 27 encountered holes in the floor, fire that ran from the basement to the attic and debris 4 feet thick as they fought this fire. Neighbors in the area believe the house to be vacant however they said that people are in and out of the house at all hours of the night. Many are believed to be homeless according to a gentleman that lives a couple doors down. It took an aggressive interior attack by firefighters about 20 minutes to get this fire under control. Houses located on both sides of the double, about 10-15 feet away each, were kept out of fire danger as dedicated water streams on both sides kept the exposures clear. Neighbors worry that the burned house will now be a blight on the neighborhood and firefighters say that houses such as this with so much debris are a danger to firefighters that may have to return here on another call. No injuries were reported on this fire. According to Battalion Chief Joe Krebsbach, damage is estimated at 40,000 dollars. IFD/IMPD fire investigative units are on the scene trying to determine cause and origin.

Indianapolis Dedicates Memorial for First Black Firefighter Killed in Line of Duty

From the IFD: The Indianapolis Black Firefighters Association, a fraternal organization of the Indianapolis Fire Department, is pleased to announce the memorial dedication for Lt. Tom Smith. On Friday, September 25, 2009 at 10:00am; as part of the 150th Anniversary of the Indianapolis Fire Department, IFD, IAFF Local 416, Department of Public Safety, active and retired firefighters will gather at Crown Hill Cemetery to honor Lt. Tom Smith.

Smith, the first African-American line of duty death in IFD history, was killed when Hose Wagon 16 was struck by a street car, while answering a call to Box 317 at Northwestern Avenue and 21st Street. Smith was hurled into the air and thrown in front of the street car, which passed over him. He was dragged for several feet and his body became lodged at the front trucks; according to the Indianapolis News (11/08/1911).

Born May 10, 1843 in Crab Orchard, Kentucky; Smith was a member of the IFD’s first colored fire company. In May 1876 James Mitchell was elected mayor of Indianapolis, he appointed W.O. “Deck” Sherwood fire chief. Chief Sherwood recognized the need for a colored fire company. Two weeks later, on May 19, 1876 a colored company was formed and firehouse established on St. Mary’s Street. The fire company included Tom Smith, Thomas Howard, Robert Braxton, and James Graves. Smith was assigned badge # 158 and quickly became the city’s horse expert. Tom was known as one of the most skillful drivers that ever sat on a piece of Indianapolis fire apparatus. The story is told that the board of safety considered retiring Smith because of his age. A member of the board was at the firehouse when an alarm came in, Tom sprang to his seat and tripped the harness with a single action and as soon as the harness snapped the horses sped out the door. Tom was as agile and muscular as a man half his age, the topic of retirement would no longer be considered.

The firefighter’s processional will begin @ 10:00am at the 34th St. entrance of the Crown Hill Cemetery and proceed to Section 97 (Heroes of Public Safety Section). For more information on this event or the organization, visit www.indyblackfirefighters.com or call 317-253-0323

Suspicious White Powder Found at Indianapolis Business

From the IFD: Shortly before 1:30 this afternoon an employee at Eskew Enterprises opened the mail just like any other day. Although the standard white business envelope was addressed to another company, S And H Marketing the return address of Eskew Enterprises had been pasted on the envelope so the post office returned it here. When Christina Lee-Gasaway opened the envelope she discovered a scrap of clean foil, the type used in fast food restaurants, with a powdery substance inside. She contacted her bosses, owners Darryl and Andrea Eskew who called police and evacuted the building. Haz Mat crews from IFD Station 13 were dispastched and prepared to begin entry and testing. 2 firefighters entered the building in Level B suits and ran 2 tests on the substance. Both tests tested positive for TRYPSIN. Trypsin is an ammino acid and considered a non threat. Investigators from IMPD and the US Postal Inspectors office were called to investigate any possible criminal wrong doing. Representatives from the Marion County Health Department were on hand to assist with any Haz Mat needs. The substance was sent to the LRN lab at 16th and MLK for further testing. No injuries were reported.

Fire at Post Brook Apartments is Suspicious

From IFD: At 6:20 this evening firefighters from IFD and City of Lawrence were called to 4004 Windhill Dr. for a reported apartment fire. Upon arrival they found fire showing from the rear, first floor apartment # 229. This building houses 4 units, all vacant. The fire apartment was completely burned with the unit next door suffering smoke damage. According to residents in the complex the other 3 units have suffered at the hands of vandals. IFD/IMPD fire investigators have been called to the scene for cause. The origin is believed to be a couch in unit # 229. According to firefighters in Battalion 4 they have had at least 3 fires in the last several months in this complex, Post Brook Apartments.. The fires have all been suspicious in nature and are believed to have been started with ordinary combustible materials. No injuries were reported. Battalion Chief Shawn Grass estimates the damage to be 20,000 dollars.

Divers Find Young Man's Body in White River

From the Indianapolis Fire Department: Shortly before 5:30 this evening The Indianapolis Fire Department Dive Team was dispatched to a possible drowning in the 1500 block of Waterway Blvd. Tactical Dive Team 14 arrived on the scene along with several other fire department units, where they were approached by Medics who told them that witnesses stated a man had fallen in the river and had not surfaced. A large scale search effort ensued with additional IFD Tactical Dive Teams being called in for assistance.  Divers from Station 14 took one side of the river while divers from Station 7 took the other.  Using search patterns, divers on each side of the river tried for almost 2 hours to locate the man identified at 19 year old Corey Mitchell.  According to divers, the river at that particular location is about 10 feet deep and full of large rocks, Rebar and discarded fishing line. There was no current in the river today and divers were confident that the area they searched was the exact location.  They did not think that Mr. Mitchell was carried downstream.

Corey Mitchell, his girlfriend Crystal Cook (31 y/o), her brother Ronnie Peed (30 y/o) and her two sons ages 10 and 8 had gone to the area to go fishing.  Although it is unclear how long they had been at the site, at some point the two men decided to navigate the lower part of the dam into the middle of the river.  Once they were located there, Mr. Peed states that Corey got his foot caught on something under the water. When he bent over to dislodge his foot, he fell into the water and never surfaced. No one in the group was wearing a life jacket.  911 was called at that time. Initially the call came in at 5:17 as an unconscious person near the waters edge. Once Medic 18 arrived on the scene they were informed there might someone in the water.  M18 advised dispatch to send the dive teams.

Captain Rob Aldrich a diver from IFD Station 7 found Mr. Mitchell in approximately 10 feet of water.  Although the river was full of debris, Captain Aldrich stated that Mr. Mitchell was not entangled in anything. He was simply face down in the water on the bottom.    Divers were dispatched at 5:29 pm.  The victim was confirmed in the water at 5:48 pm.  Dive teams and boats were deployed into the water at 5:57 pm.  Mr. Mitchell was located at approximately 7:20 pm.  Once firefighters recovered Mr. Mitchell from the river, he was placed in a Wishard Medic unit pending the arrival of the Coroner's Office.    Nothing further to report.

Fire Engulfs Home on East 21st Street

From IFD: On the scene at 4344 E 21st street for a residence fire. At approximately 2:45 this morning a passerby Larry Tutson was headed East on 21st street when he noticed flames coming from a two story residence. Mr. Tutson called 911 and reported the fire. He then went to the front door of the residence and yelled for everyone to get out. Apparently the family that lives there was not home at the time. A car parked in the front yard is always present and was confusing as to the possibility of possible entrapment. When firefighters arrived on the scene they reported heavy fire showing through the roof. Firefighters on this box alarm response had the fire out within 20 minutes. IFD/IMPD fire investigations units are on the scene and are searching for cause and origin at this time. According to Battalion Chief Dave Harris damage is estimated at 40,000 dollars. No injuries were reported. Nothing further to report.

Two Eastside Fires Keep Firefighters Busy

From IFD: Firefighters from the Indianapolis Fire Department were kept busy on the East side of Indianapolis today, with two residence fires in the span of 2 ½ hours.

The first fire came in at 11:37 this morning when firefighters were dispatched to 4508 N Edmonson Ave. Upon arrival firefighters from IFD Station 24 reported smoke showing form the attic of a two story residence. No one was home at the time of the fire and firefighters had to force entry through the front door. This Box Alarm/Working Fire response brought about 37 firefighters to the scene to fight this fire. The fire is believed to have been accidental and to have started in the kitchen. The exact cause is unknown and still under investigation by IFD/IMPD fire investigators. The fire was brought under control in about 30 minutes and no injuries were reported. According to Battalion Chief Dennis Gavaghan, the damage is estimated at $50,000. Nothing further to report.

The second fire came in at 1:59 this afternoon as firefighters were dispatched to 10326 Baribeau. Firefighters from IFD Engine 45 arrived on the scene of this one story residence to find heavy smoke pouring from the rear of this house. According to the residents of the home, renters, Coron and Dawanna Gaines, a loud popping noise was heard outside the house, in the backyard, near the gas meter and when Mr. Gaines looked out the window, he saw fire. He and 3 of his 4 children were home at the time of the fire and all escaped without harm before firefighters arrived. The room that suffered the most damage was a bedroom. The property is owned by Elden Properties. IFD Victims Assistance was called and is helping the family relocate for the evening. According to Battalion Chief Dennis Gavaghan, damage is estimated at $20,000. No injuries were reported. Nothing further to report.

Apartment Fire Rages Along 52nd Street

From IFD: On the scene at 52nd and College Ave for an apartment fire at 648 E 52nd street. A caller noticed smoke coming from the second story of the College Arms Apartments owned by Scott Goodwine. This building houses 7 apartments most of which are occupied. Apartment #5, the possible origin of the fire was vacant and the owner had just been in the apartment doing an inspection 20 minutes prior. All residents of the building were out before the fire department arrived and no injuries were reported. The lower level of this building houses several businesses and the one that suffered the most damage was Paul Taylors Barber Shop. Damage estimate according to Battalion Chief Daryl Hayden is 100,000 dollars. IFD/IMPD Fire Investigators have been called to the scene. Cause and origin have not been determined at this time. The fire came in shortly before 10 pm and was under control within minutes. Nothing further to report.