Hoarder hindered rescue from house fire

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A man is in critical condition at Wishard Hospital after firefighters battled flames and trash to rescue him from his home early Thursday morning.

Steven Bleemel, 54, called 911 from his home on East Minnesota Street, south of downtown Indianapolis around 6 a.m. to report the fire.

IFD said firefighters had a lot of trouble getting to the man because his home was packed from the floor to the ceiling with trash.

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When they tried to make it in the front door they found it blocked by items. By the time they made it through the back of the home and to the victim he was already unconscious.

Firefighters were eventually able to get through the clutter and rescue the man inside.

They tell us that the trash inside the home made their job extra difficult and required additional crews.

“If he had a clear path to get out of the home, we think he could have made it out on his own safely,” said Fred Pervine with IFD.

Neighbors said Bleemel has been a hoarder for as long as they can remember.

“He just saved everything, you know. He saved computers, books, whatever he could,” said neighbor Larry Patrick.

Research shows that hoarding is a distinct mental health problem, and that people who hoard often don't see it as a problem.