Porter Fire Department Responds to 1st Alarm Residential Fire

On Wednesday, October 31st at 03:58 hours Porter Fire Department was dispatched to a residence located on 23rd street for heavy smoke coming from the house.  Porter Fire Chief's arrived on scene at 04:02 hours and reported a working fire.  Shortly after arrival, PFD was notified by Porter Police Department that the house may be occupied.  On initial walk around it was observed the interior structure was under heavy smoke conditions, and the fire was seated in the middle of the house spreading in all direction.  PFD Engine 910 arrived on scene at 04:07 hours and began fire attack.  During fire suppression, the interior attack and search team located a possible second point of origin.  With the possibility of a incendiary fire the interior crew began to search the remaining part of the structure with extreme caution.  Due to the construction of the house the smoke and heat was very intense on the interior crew.  During fire suppression and search activities, the crew than came across a hole in the floor in the fire room. After extinguishing the majority of the fire and searching a part on the house, due to breathing air restrains the crew had to exit the structure. At which point a relief crew made entry and with the fire mostly out and smoke and heat conditions dissipating, it allowed for this crew to reach the trapped home owner.  Once the fire was extinguished the firefighters began the painstaking task of overhaul and investigation.  During overhaul activities one firefighter was injured after slipping into the hole in the floor the later found to have been there from the possible use of a accelerant during the start of the fire.  The firefighter suffered minor injuries and was released later that night from the hospital.  All units cleared the scene at approximately 5:00 PM.

With the cause of the fire suspicious, the Porter Fire Department requested the assistance of the Porter Co. Fire Investigation Team (FIST), Porter Police Department (PPD), North West Indiana Major Crimes Task Force (NWIMCTF), Indiana State Fire Marshal, and the City of Warsaw Fire Department ATF Arson K9.

Porter Fire Department would like to thank the following departments for the great job they did in assisting us during this emergency.  Chesterton Fire Department, Burns Harbor Fire Department, Portage Fire Department, Beverly Shores Fire Department, Porter Public Works Department, and Porter Hospital EMS.

Porter Fire Department would also like to thank White Castle and McDonalds for supplying the firefighters on site with food and beverages.

Due to the quick response of the fire investigators from  PFD, FIST, and State Fire Marshals Office along with the detectives from PPD, NWIMCTF, and the Warsaw K9 the major part of the investigation was completed in 24 hours.

Despite the view of some, this was a perfect example how the local area can come together in the time of need and get the job done!