Fire destroys Tippecanoe Co. home, sends firefighter to hospital

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) – A Tippecanoe County home was destroyed by a fire that firefighters believe may have started in a chimney. The fire also sent one firefighter to the hospital for smoke inhalation.

It began around 6 p.m at 913 Jill Place. That’s in the far western part of the county off Kerber Road, near County Road 750 West and State Road 26.

Firefighters say a family of three came home and lit a fire in their fireplace. That’s when they noticed smoke coming from the attic. They called 911, but by the time volunteer firefighters arrived, flames were already shooting from the roof.

Five fire departments were called to the scene.

Otterbein VFD Fire Rescue Capt. Lewis Watson said crews fighting the fire inside the home had to leave because of unsafe conditions.

“They went in to try to start doing an attack, ran into some issues inside with the ceiling starting to come down so they pulled everyone out and we started a defensive attack,” Watson said.

A West Point firefighter was transported to the hospital with smoke inhalation and is expected to be OK.

While it’s too early to know exactly what caused the fire, firefighters remind all homeowners to make sure their chimneys are clean before lighting them.