Indiana

Indianapolis Fire Department

Wednesday March 30, 2022

Working Apartment Fire
4431 Linwood Ct.
Pangea Courts Apartments

Dispatched at 9:26 AM
Multiple calls to 911 reporting fire
First Unit on scene – EG27 at 9:30 AM
Three Story Structure Ordinary Construction
Heavy fire showing from the first floor
21 IFD Units Dispatched
14 IEMS Units Dispatched
2 Beech Grove EMS Units Dispatched
2 Handlines – 2 Supply Lines

Aggressive interior attack
IFD Firefighters made entry into the structure and rescued approximately 20 occupants from the building – through the use of ground ladders, windows and the 2 main doors.
5 Cats were rescued by IFD Firefighters – all are ok
Utilities Secured – power shut off to entire structure
Primary and Secondary search proved all clear at 9:48 AM

Fire under control at 9:58 AM

IMPD on Scene

IFD Rehab Support Unit on Scene
Incident Commander – Battalion Chief Scott Isaacs
Command terminated at 10:46 AM

IFD/IMPD Fire Investigations – Fire under investigation

The fire originated in Apartment #3 on the first floor.  The 39 year old female occupant was transported with non-life threatening injuries. The building has 12 units – 11 of which are occupied
All 12 units were affected – 1 by heavy fire – the remainder by smoke or water damage and utility shut off

Occupants reported hearing working smoke alarms but say many did not take action to evacuate – as they say smoke alarms activate all the time.  By the time they took action the building was fully charged with smoke and heavy fire.
Several of the units were found without working smoke alarms.  Firefighters found them removed from the ceiling.
Occupants inside the building reported heavy smoke throughout and zero visibility.  One female occupant told firefighters that the smoke was so bad – she had to drag her children down the hallway to get them out.
The IFD would like to remind residents to never ignore a sounding smoke alarm.  Evacuate the building until you are certain there is no threat of smoke or fire.

13 Patients transported to area hospitals  – 10 children and 3 adults – all with non-life threatening injuries
One of the patients transported was a 21 day old infant.
One of the juvenile patients – jumped from the second story window

2 additional residents were checked at the scene and signed an SOR (Statement of Release)
IFD Victims Assistance is working with Pangea Apartment Management and Red Cross for Shelter

Credit: Rita L Reith, MPIO