4 Indianapolis Firefighters Injured In South Side Apartment Fire

INDIANAPOLIS, IN -- Four Indianapolis Fire Department firefighters were injured Friday afternoon while fighting a fire that broke out inside an apartment complex on the city's south side. IFD says crews responded to a call around 2:30 p.m. for a fire at Regency Park Apartments, in the 5500 block of Rue Royale. When crews arrived, IFD says they found heavy smoke coming from several apartment units before the flames moved to a common attic space, taking firefighters nearly 40 minutes to get the fire under control.

According to IFD officials the seven people (ages six to 40) who live in the unit where the fire started, 5524 Rue Royale, were able to get out unharmed before crews arrived.

IFD says the 40-year-old was cooking french fries in grease on the stove, which spilled out of the skillet onto the front burner and caught fire. IFD estimates damage to the building is at $300,000.

According to IFD, firefighters Lt. Daniel Marden and Private Matt Myers were both injured while trying to attach the water hose to a hydrant, due to the line getting caught when the engine moved forward, catching their feet in the line. IFD says they were both thrown into the air before Myers landed on his head and was briefly knocked unconscious. Marden landed on his side, injuring his arm. Both were taken to Methodist Hospital where Myers remains due to a severe concussion. Marden was released but will remain under medical care.

A third firefighter was taken Community South for chest pain but has since been released, and the fourth firefighter was treated on scene for a small steam burn.

None of the other building residents were injured, however five units were affected by the fire, displacing 26 people.

IFD victims assistance is working with the Red Cross to get them immediate shelter.

Crews rush to aid 2 FF injured as they caught the hydrant to establish water supply. Unexpected entanglement jerked the line throwing the 2 into the air. 1 knocked unconscious & 1 w/ broken arm both transported to Methodist - 1 FF transported for chest pain 1 FF treated on scene pic.twitter.com/aKM455sUEv
— IFD NEWS (@IFD_NEWS) February 2, 2018

More information: @IFD_NEWS

Photo credit: Indianapolis Fire Department