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Photos and report from Rita L. Reith
Four firefighters were injured while responding to a working apartment fire with possible entrapment on Friday in Indianapolis, Indiana.
About 100 firefighters responded to the fire at the Regency Park Indy Apartments, which ultimately went to three alarms. Battalion Chief John Linn said damage is estimated at $300,000.
The first-arriving units found heavy fire showing. An occupant told firefighters she was cooking french fries in grease and the grease spilled out of the skillet onto the front burner. All occupants were able to escape prior to the arrival of the fire department.
Two firefighters were injured while “catching the hydrant” and establishing the water supply. The firefighters, Lt. Daniel Marden and Private Matt Myers, were both thrown in the air when the yellow supply line, which was correctly wrapped around the hydrant, got snared as the engine moved forward toward the scene. As the engine moved forward, the line jerked unexpectedly and the firefighters feet got caught in the 5 inch supply line. Myers landed on his head and was briefly knocked unconscious. Marden landed on his side and sustained injury to his arm but was conscious and alert. A third firefighter was transported to the hospital complaining of chest pain, and another member was treated on scene for a small steam burn.
The fire, which had a good head start prior to firefighters arrival, got up into the common attic space and, fueled by the wind, quickly travelled through two of the units. The firewall stopped the progress of the fire and crews were able to mark it under control in 40 minutes.
RITA L. REITH is a battalion chief with the Indianapolis (IN) Fire Department and serves as the agency’s public information officer.
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