Westfield man escapes early morning house fire

WESTFIELD, Ind (WISH) - A space heater is being blamed for a fire that heavily damaged a Westfield home early Friday morning. 

Shortly after midnight the homeowner was watching television when he noticed smoke coming from a front room. The man jumped up and went to his alarm panel and hit the panic button. Smoke detectors sounded, and the man got out of the house near 146th Street and Little Creek Avenue.

When the first Westfield Fire Department units arrived on the scene they saw heavy smoke and flames pouring out of the front of the house in the area of a patio porch. Firefighters said the flames quickly spread to the second floor of the house and through the roof.

Multiple layers of construction over the years hampered firefighters in getting water on the flames.

Westfield fire crews were joined by firefighters from Zionsville, Sheridan, Perry Township and Carmel to help put out the fire.

Firefighters had to truck in water because there are no hydrants nearby.

The resident was treated by paramedics at the scene and released without going to the hospital.

Damage is estimated at $50,000.