Firefighters Escape Close Call During Indianapolis House Fire

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — A house fire on the near south side of Indianapolis led to a dangerous encounter for firefighters early Wednesday morning. Around 5:45 a.m. on February 19, a vehicle drove over a fire hose and narrowly missed two firefighters responding to the scene, according to an Indianapolis Fire Department battalion chief.

The blaze erupted on the second floor of a vacant home located in the 2100 block of South Meridian Street, just north of East Raymond Street. Fire crews worked for more than 30 minutes to bring the flames under control. Fortunately, no equipment was damaged during the incident, and there were no injuries reported.

Fire officials stated that losses from the fire are estimated at approximately $75,000. This home had been the site of another fire last year, and the cause is still under investigation.

The battalion chief emphasized the importance of driver awareness during emergencies, noting that stepping over hoses can jeopardize firefighter safety and the effectiveness of fire operations. “Drivers need to stay vigilant and avoid driving through fire scenes to protect our teams and ensure their safety,” he urged.

In a separate incident the same day, firefighters responded to a house fire in Oklahoma City, where four occupants managed to safely evacuate the home without injuries.

As fire crews continue to combat dangerous situations on the job, this incident serves as a reminder for both public safety and respect for emergency responders in action.