A fire broke out at an apartment complex on the west side of Indianapolis on Thursday evening, resulting in the injuries of two residents and two firefighters.
After receiving numerous reports of an active apartment fire with potential entrapment, firefighters from the Wayne Township Fire Department were dispatched to the 7800 block of Island Club Drive at approximately 5:30 p.m.
Wayne Township Fire Department supplied the accompanying image.
According to WTFD, firefighters arrived at the location and observed a significant amount of fire emanating from the third floor of the apartments, while the occupants were in the process of evacuating. The firefighters were informed that several individuals were confined inside certain units on the rear side of the complex shortly after their arrival.
Firefighters using a ladder were able to rescue one resident from the third floor of the apartment. According to WTFD, the occupant was transported to a local hospital in “serious condition.”
Another individual was able to escape the flames by leaping off the second story balcony of the apartment complex. According to WTFD, the victim was treated for medical conditions and subsequently discharged onto the scene.
Eric Banister, the Public Information Officer for the WTFD, confirmed that two firefighters sustained injuries while responding to the fire. One of the firefighters was transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries, while the other was treated on the scene.
According to Banister, a boater in the area helped firefighters by informing them of additional people who needed emergency assistance.
“As we circled the building to locate individuals on the back side of the fire, a boater pointed to the building, and there were individuals on the second and third floors who required assistance,” Banister stated. “He directed us to them while we were en route to assist them.”
In addition, WTFD reported that numerous canines were recovered from the apartments and that no animals were injured during the incident.
Baniser commended the community’s efforts to ensure that all individuals were present prior to the arrival of first responders.
Banister stated, “I conversed with one of the apartment maintenance personnel who proceeded to the third and second floors, knocking on doors and attempting to assist individuals in exiting the building. Consequently, there were numerous heroes during the day, prior to the arrival of the fire trucks.”
Additionally, the Indianapolis Fire Department and the Speedway Fire Department rendered assistance at the location.
The precise cause of the fire is still being investigated.
