Porter FD assists Chesterton FD in early morning structure fire

On Friday, September 21st at 12:40am Porter FD was automatically dispatched with Chesterton FD for a report of heavy smoke coming from an industrial building at 5th and Grant Ave. Porter FD responded with a Chief, Engine 910 with 6 Personnel and a Safety Officer. The first arriving Chesterton Engine arrived on scene and reported a large 1 story building with heavy fire and smoke from the roof. An exterior attack was decided by the first in company
officer due to the heavy fire conditions. Porter Engine 910 which was the 2nd
company on scene assisted with hydrant hook up. Once that was complete Porter FD was given orders to forcibly enter through a doorway on the south east side of
the building and assist with fire suppression.

A tanker operation was set up due to the amount of water needed to fight the
fire and also due to the small water mains that ran though that area. Once
the tanker operations was set up, Porter engine 910 was used as a supply
engine to Valparaiso FD's Tower 1 for Aerial support and also supplied 2 hand lines.

A total of 9 hours were spent fighting the fire. No personnel were hurt.
The fire is under investigation.
Chesterton also called in 8 other Fire Departments to assist.