Response Delayed Due to Weather in Fatal Portage House Fire

The response to a fatal house fire was hindered by severe road conditions following destructive storms. The situation was detailed by Portage Fire Chief Chris Crail during a news conference on Tuesday. Crail stated, ‘Everything was breaking free’ as the fire alarm came.

Complicating the response, residents and blocked roads added to the delay, according to Police Chief Michael Candiano. He observed a high volume of cars on the streets, akin to a busy Saturday afternoon, which hindered the movement of emergency vehicles.

Most of Portage was left without power, with trees blocking main streets. ‘The amount of calls we had were off the charts,’ Candiano noted. Some officers had to park a mile away and proceed on foot to reach the house, which was already engulfed upon arrival.

The fire call was received at 12:20 p.m., according to Rob Maynard, Public Information Officer. Efforts to clear paths were aided by street and sanitation crews. Identification of the victim is still pending, and state fire investigators are probing the cause, suspected to be an explosion. Maynard reported minor injuries from various incidents.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security has established a web portal to collect data potentially leading to disaster declarations by Governor Mike Braun and President Donald Trump. The storms left approximately 288,000 NIPSCO customers without power.

Mayor Austin Bonta declared a state of emergency, opening shelters at Bonner Senior Center and Northwest Health on Willowcreek Road. Residents advised to stay safely at home were urged to do so. The Senior Center welcomed people on oxygen, with only service animals allowed.

Portage Township Schools supported emergency responders by supplying fuel from their pumps due to the closure of gas stations. ‘I think we can pretty much get to most places at this point,’ Candiano remarked, noting continued challenges with smaller streets and downed power lines.

Despite severe weather, no officers were reported injured. ‘I think we were pretty fortunate,’ Candiano commented. The summer has presented tough conditions for the region, he added.

Doug Ross contributed to this report.