Abandoned house catches fire near New Haven

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – Fire crews responded to an abandoned house fire on Fort Wayne’s east side, near New Haven, early Tuesday morning.

The fire broke out at a house near the intersection of Waverly Drive and Prize Street around 1:15 a.m. Officials with the New Haven Fire Department told WANE 15 that the fire was fully involved upon their arrival. Fire crews knew the house was vacant, so they prioritized getting the blaze under control above saving the structure. No injuries were reported.

A power line did fall onto a fire tanker truck holding water, which NHFD described as critical. Because there were no fire hydrants in the area, crews had to utilize tanker trucks to transport water to the fire; that process was briefly impeded by the downed power line.

Residents in the immediate area did lose power, but it was restored in less than an hour. The Hew Haven Fire Department says the house involved sustained heavy smoke, water, and fire damage.

The Allen County Building Department will inspect the property to determine whether the house will be condemned; at that point, the house will either be repaired or taken down.

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