According to a report from WTHR, a fire erupted in an Indianapolis, Indiana, apartment complex Monday night, critically injuring five people, including four children.
Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD) crews were dispatched to Briergate Apartments at 2847 Elwin Drive, near 30th Street and North Post Road, at around 10:30 p.m. On arrival, no fire was showing, but a small amount of smoke was emanating from the hallway. A fire, which investigators believe started on the couch, was smoldering and had nearly burned itself out. However, IFD crews said the residence was “heavily charged” with smoke.
IFD crews extinguished the remaining fire within one minute of entering the residence.
Interior crews found a 28-year-old man and his one-year-old daughter near the couch, and later discovered the man’s three-year-old daughter as well as a two boys, ages 12 and 14, in a rear bedroom. All were unconscious and in cardiac arrest.
IFD Battalion Chief Rita Reith said the couch had the potential to give off deadly toxins, which may have affected the residents.
Reith said the five people were most likely asleep when the fire started, with the toxic smoke acted fast. IFD’s first responders found each victim without a pulse, and were able to start the heartbeats of all five.
The mother of all four children wasn’t home when the fire started but met investigators at the hospital, IFD said.
The man and 14-year-old boy were transported to Eskenazi Hospital, while the one, three, and 12-year-olds were taken to Riley Hospital for Children, all in critical condition.
Fire investigators said the apartment did not have an activated smoke alarm when the fire started, but fire crews did hear an activated smoke alarm in the building’s hallway.
The fire didn’t extend to or damage any other apartments. Utilities were shut off to the apartment above, and a family of three living in that apartment was displaced due to the utility shutoff and smoke in their apartment.
IFD Victim Assistance is working with the Red Cross to find shelter for the family who was displaced.
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