MIDDLEBURY —
A firefighter was injured while battling a fire in rural northeast Elkhart County Friday afternoon.
Around 2 p.m., Middlebury fire crews were called to a house fire at 51855-1 East County Line Road, north of Middlebury, according to Middlebury Fire Chief Jeff Wogoman.
“On scene, we had fire coming through the rear of the residence, pretty heavy fire,” Wogoman said.
“We sent a crew around to hit the back of the house and a crew to hit the inside of the house.”
“We got it knocked down pretty quick, other than it did seem to get up in the attic and that’s what we’re having difficulty with right now,” he said at the scene.
“It looks like there are two different roofs in there so it’s in between the two roofs, so it’s hard getting at it right now,” Wogoman said.
A firefighter was injured when he fell through a portion of the burnt roof.
“He fell through the roof, hit a burnt spot and fell through and landed in the basement stairwell,” Wogoman said. “(He) must have landed on his head and shoulder and he had a pretty significant shoulder injury.”
Wogoman did not know which hospital the man was transported to but that “He was talking and he was alert.”
Wogoman did not release his name.
Dearl Brown, a neighbor across the street from the fire, said he was sitting in his home when the fire broke out.
“(We) heard a big bang and we was questioning about what it was,” he said. “Then another neighbor banged on the door and said the house across the street was on fire.”
Brown called 911 on his phone and then alerted another neighbor to the fire because her house was next to the one on fire.
“I’m glad I did (alert the neighbors) because there was plenty of fuel,” Brown said. “I thought with the wind and leaves and everything, I thought it might be all over the neighborhood before it was over with.”
Brown credited prompt response from the firefighters in getting the fire contained before it got out of control or spread to neighboring houses.
“We’re a long way out from fire protection. These guys got here quick today, you got to give Middlebury a thumbs up on this one because usually we’re so far out, the only thing they can save is the foundation,” he said.
According to Wogoman, in addition to Middlebury, crews from Bristol, Shipshewana and White Pigeon, Mich. assisted on the call.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Firefighters check on one of their colleagues who was injured when he fell through the roof of a house at a fire north of Middlebury Friday. Sam Householder
Middlebury firefighter injured fighting house fire
- Local News
-
-
Crashes rekindle seat belt debate
An Indiana lawmaker who sponsored a bill that would have required seat belts on school buses hopes two high-profile collisions in a span of a week that left more than 60 people injured will spur parents to urge the General Assembly to act.
-
SLIDESHOW: 2013 Westview Graduation
Photos from the 47th Commencement Ceremony at Westview High School. The class of 2013 had 87 students.
-
THE DIRT ON GARDENING: Choose your pool plants wisely
Do you have a pool or a pond or do you plan on having one in the near future? Then you’ll want to choose your plants wisely that you’ll expect to have near or around the perimeter.
-
Handle poison hemlock carefully
Poison hemlock is a weed that seemed to burst onto the scene last year during the drought.
In the past, it could be found in waste areas like along railroad tracks and ditches, but in 2012, poison hemlock seemed to be everywhere, including backyards, gardens, fields, even along the river at Bonneyville Mill Park. -
'Piazza' program starts Saturday at Ruthmere
The “Coffee on the Piazza” program will return to Ruthmere Museum this spring and summer.
-
Jefferson students spend the day at Camp Amigo
On Tuesday, 450 Jefferson Elementary School students experienced “outdoor” school.
-
Bus driver’s condition upgraded after Wednesday wreck
A school bus driver injured in a four-bus crash Wednesday north of North Webster was hospitalized in fair condition Thursday.
-
Goshen has growth spurt
Goshen Mayor Allan Kauffman doesn’t have the magic bullet as to why Goshen is over the 32,000 mark in population for the first time.
-
Sentence dealt for reckless homicide
GOSHEN — From the witness stand in Elkhart Circuit Court, Kristina Wolfinger could see the man who killed her brother. She described what she didn’t see.
-
Milford Fest activities to fill Saturday
Milford Fest will take place in downtown Milford Saturday.
Events begin at 7 a.m. and continue through 9 p.m. - More Local News Headlines
-
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
