Reaching the site of a tragic house fire on Tuesday afternoon faced delays due to troublesome road conditions following severe storms. Portage Fire Chief Chris Crail explained that numerous obstacles hindered first responders.
Chief Crail stated during a news conference at the local police station that the fire call came amid widespread storm damage. He noted, “Everything was breaking free,” referring to the chaos of fallen trees and power lines when they received the emergency call.
Affected by a possible explosion, a destroyed home on Harrison Avenue in Portage, Indiana, presented a challenging scene. The storm had left approximately 288,000 NIPSCO customers without power, contributing to the difficulty in reaching the location. Photographer Andy Lavalley documented the aftermath for the Chicago Tribune.
Police Chief Michael Candiano mentioned that local traffic also caused complications. Residents were on the roads, likening the scene to a busy Saturday afternoon, which made navigation difficult, given the blockage on main streets from downed trees and power lines.
“The number of emergency calls was off the charts,” Candiano added, noting that several officers even parked a mile away and ran to the fully engulfed home.
The house fire alert was received at 12:20 p.m., according to Public Information Officer Rob Maynard. Emergency crews depended on street and sanitation workers to clear pathways not only to the fire but also to other emergencies. The identity of the victim remains undisclosed as state fire investigators examine the cause, suspected to be an explosion. Some minor injuries from separate incidents were reported.
The Indiana Department of Homeland Security has provided a web portal at in211.communityos.org/IDHS_Disaster_Damage_Reporting_Tool to collect data for potential disaster declarations by Governor Mike Braun and President Donald Trump.
Images by Photographer Andy Lavalley for the Chicago Tribune captured NIPSCO employees assessing the destruction.
Mayor Austin Bonta declared a state of emergency in Portage. Two shelters have opened: the Bonner Senior Center and Northwest Health facility on Willowcreek Road. The Bonner Senior Center, as stated by Portage Township Trustee Brendan Clancy, accommodates those reliant on oxygen; only service animals are permitted.
Chief Candiano appreciated Portage Township Schools for providing fuel access from the district’s pumps, aiding emergency vehicles amidst the power outages.
While some smaller streets remain impassable with power lines still down, Chief Candiano remains optimistic. Despite hazardous conditions, no officers were injured.
“It’s been a wild summer,” Chief Candiano remarked about the regional weather challenges.
Doug Ross, a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune, contributed to this report.