Witnesses told investigators that three boys are responsible for a fire that left at least a dozen people without a place to live on June 23, according to a social media post from the Indianapolis Fire Department.
Just before 12:25 p.m., IFD received a call for help from the Villages at Mill Crossing. By the time firefighters arrived minutes later, thick smoke and fire had spread throughout a row of townhomes in the 3500 block of Mountain Laurel Place.
“A well coordinated, aggressive attack and search ensued,” a representative for IFD wrote. The City of Lawrence Fire Department sent two companies for assistance.
All occupants evacuated safely. At 12:37 p.m., the firefighter leading incident command ordered all personnel out of the building. One minute later, the roof collapsed.
Emergency responders got the 2-alarm fire under control within 33 minutes, IFD reported. It took another 90 minutes to fully extinguish “hot spots.” In total, 12 homes were destroyed.
One firefighter was slightly injured on the call, but IFD has not reported that anyone else was hurt.
Several people told investigators that the blaze began after three boys set off fireworks in an unlocked storage unit at the back of the townhouse building, according to IFD. The department described the boys as “juveniles” but did not further specify their ages.
The allegation comes weeks after a 14-year-old’s arrest on suspicion of murder prompted Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Tanya Terry to say that parents need to prevent youth violence by taking a more active role in their kids’ lives. The City-County Council has also passed a youth curfew aimed at reducing delinquency.
The apartment complex near 38th Street and Sherman Drive has 384 homes across 32 buildings. Property managers are working with IFD victims’ assistance to find shelter for the people who were displaced, an IFD spokesperson wrote.
Ryan Murphy is the communities reporter for IndyStar. She can be reached at rhmurphy@indystar.com.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IFD: Witnesses say three boys started blaze that displaced 12 people
Reporting by Ryan Murphy, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ryan Murphy, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
