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.