2 firefighters injured battling SE side house fire; dog credited with alerting family

INDIANAPOLIS – Two firefighters ended up in the hospital after being injured while battling an early morning house fire on the southeast side.

Investigators credit a dog with alerting the family to the fire, allowing them to escape.

Crews from the Indianapolis Fire Department were dispatched around 1:15 a.m. to the 8200 block of Retreat Lane. They encountered heavy fire showing from the rear of the two-story home.

Two firefighters were hurt after the roof collapsed, briefly trapping them inside the burning home. They had been conducting a last-second search when it happened.

Both were stuck in burning debris, IFD said, and a “mayday” was immediately declared to signal firefighters needed help. Shortly after the collapse, the firefighters were able to get out from under the debris and leave the home.

One suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries, IFD said, while the other had minor injuries. Both were taken to Eskenazi Hospital.

The home’s residents escaped without injury and credited their dog, 4-year-old Rockne, with alerting them to the fire. Rockne was sleeping in the parents’ room when he started barking, waking up the husband who was able to alert his wife and daughters.

All four family members and their two dogs were able to get out safely. They were staying with neighbors for the night and are receiving help from IFD Victims Assistance.

Although the home had working smoke detectors, they didn’t go off because the fire started outside. As soon as the family evacuated, the fire spread to the attic and the rest of the home.

Two nearby residences were also affected, IFD said, and the residents had to leave their homes.

IFD/IMPD fire investigators believe the fire was accidental in nature, likely caused by improperly discarded smoking materials.

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