A Bargersville residence fire that sent the homeowner to the hospital in critical condition remains under investigation.
First responders were called to a home on the 6600 block of Travis Road around 4:34 p.m. Wednesday to investigate reports of smoke. Shortly after the call first came in, it was updated to a residence fire. Upon arrival, crews reported seeing heavy black smoke coming from the 6,000-square-foot home, according to the Bargersville Community Fire Department.
Firefighters entered the home to try to put out the fire, but after 10 minutes had to evacuate when the fire grew larger and water supply became a problem, fire department officials said.
The closest fire hydrant was over half-mile away, so Bargersville firefighters had to call in additional first responders to set up tanker operations, laying out nearly 3,000 feet of a water supply line from Travis Road. Crews were eventually able to get water access from a nearby pond, however, this created delays in getting enough water to fight the fire, according to a Bargersville Fire news release.
Once firefighters had a solid water supply, they were able to bring the fire under control about 45 minutes later. During the fire, crews also encountered multiple explosions and were hampered by the narrow driveway, officials said.
While crews were fighting the fire, Bargersville Police found the homeowner in an area behind the residence. He appeared to have sustained injuries from the fire, and was transported to Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital in Indianapolis in critical condition, officials said.
Firefighters were able to account for all family members who reside at the home and no firefighters were injured during the incident, officials said.
Homeowners also operate Chahal Kennel, a dog breeding business specializing in Dobermans. Dogs were at the property at the time of the fire but they were not directly impacted by the fire, as they are kept in a barn that is several hundred from the home, said Jeremy Roll, Bargersville police spokesperson.
The fire spread throughout the home and the garage. The home, valued at approximately $800,000, is a total loss, officials said.
The cause of the fire could not be determined by fire investigators Thursday. The cause is expected to remain undetermined until investigators have the opportunity to speak with the homeowner who remains in critical condition at Eskenazi, Bargersville fire officials said Thursday.
Some of the circumstances around the house fire are causing investigators to look closely, Roll said. One of those factors is that the home was listed for sale for $1.05 million on Aug. 13 and was removed from sale on the day of the fire, according to listing records for the address on Realtor.com.
The home was also under a safety alert for first responders, which means that when police are called to the home they should bring backup, Roll said. The safety alert was put in place because of mental health concerns with a resident of the home and because of their former access to firearms, he said.
Bargersville fire investigators are working with White River Township’s investigations department, Indiana State Fire Marshals Office, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s arson team and Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms on the still ongoing investigation.
The Greenwood and White River Township fire departments assisted with firefighting, and the Amity, Green Township, Morgantown, Needham, Nineveh and Trafalgar fire departments provided tanker support.
Editor Leeann Doerflein contributed to this report.
