Indianapolis Firefighters Injured in Separate Falls During Blaze

Two firefighters were injured Tuesday morning while working to put out a fire at a Beech Grove house split into in five apartment units, the Indianapolis Fire Department said.

Firefighters responded just after 6 a.m. to South Fourth Ave. and began working to put the fire out.

Occupants of the basement unit told IFD they woke up to a fire in their apartment and tried putting it out before evacuating. Other residents evacuated when they heard the smoke alarms go off.

Both firefighters were injured around 7:30 a.m. when the building started to collapse.

IFD said one firefighter fell 12 feet off the porch roof and landed on top of their breathing tank. The firefighter was transported to Methodist Hospital in serious condition but is now in good condition with minor injuries.

Another firefighter fell from the second story into the basement and was brought out of the house a few minutes later. This firefighter sustained minor scrapes but was checked on the scene and released, IFD said.

All eight people who lived in the house are accounted for, and no injuries were reported. IFD said it is working with Red Cross to help find the residents shelter.

The fire is under investigation, IFD said.

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