Photo and information from Rita Reith
Firefighters rescued nearly 30 people from a major fire at the Highland Pointe Apartments in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Indianaolis Fire Department rews were dispatched at 4:42 a.m. on Monday, April 17, 2023, with multiple 911 calls reporting fire and entrapment at the apartment building at 5458 Michigan Road.
Firefighters found heavy fire and smoke showing from the three-story, ordinary construction building. Twenty Indianapolis fire units were aided by nine units from Pike Township.
Crews employed ground ladders to rescue numerous victims, with others jumping from second- and third-story balconies. Fire attack was reportedly delayed because of the number of rescues. Nine occupants were transported, with five listed in serious condition.
One adult female was located inside the building and sadly sustained fatal injuries.
The fire was brought under control in about an hour, with 44 units affected by fire, smoke, water damage, or utility shut off. The fire is under still investigation, however investigators believe the fire started on the first floor and quickly traveled to the second and third floors, with heavy black smoke filling the entire structure. The heavy smoke and fire blocked hallway egress for many of the occupants and forced them to seek shelter or escape off the balconies.
RITA L. REITH is a battalion chief with the Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD) and serves as the agency’s public information officer.
