Child playing with lighter starts fire that destroys home

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The Indianapolis Fire Department says a 4-year-old playing with a lighter started a fire that sent two people to the hospital and destroyed their home Tuesday.

The incident occurred at 3949 Boulevard Place. The mother of the 4-year-old, Rashiea Alsul, told firefighters that her son was playing with a lighter and his 1-year-old brother when their bedroom caught fire.

Alsul grabbed the four-year-old and escaped the burning home, but she was unable to grab her 1-year-old. Witnesses told firefighters that neighbors ran into the home and saved the child.

Firefighters arrived on scene 12:30 p.m. and were told that there was a baby still inside the residence. The firefighters ran inside the house without protective hoses. It was not until after firefighters were inside the home that neighbors told IFD that the baby had been safely rescued.

IFD continued to fight the fire for 90 minutes.

Indianapolis Fire Department officials said the 1-year-old and Alsul  were taken to Wishard Memorial Hospital to be checked for injuries, though neither suffered serious injuries. A 4-year-old child wasn't injured. One dog named "Lucky" was found on the front porch and given oxygen, he is OK.

The family does not have insurance. The American Red Cross has offered them Victims Assistance.