COUNTRY SQUIRE LAKES — A Sunday afternoon fire in Jennings County has left one person dead after a fire completely consumed a residence.
Emergency personnel from the Scipio-Geneva Township Fire Department were dispatched to the Country Squire Lakes community just before 3:00 p.m. on Sunday following reports of a structure fire. Upon arriving at the scene on Honey Locust Place, first responders found the home fully engulfed in fire.
Witnesses at the scene informed arriving deputies and firefighters that an occupant was still inside the burning building. Before fire crews arrived, Jennings County deputies and several neighbors made desperate attempts to enter the home to reach the trapped individual.
However, the intensity of the flames and smoke proved too great, and they were unable to reach him.
Firefighters launched a coordinated attack on the blaze while simultaneously conducting a search-and-rescue operation. During the sweep of the residence, crews located the victim. He was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel.
The scale of the fire required a massive mutual aid response from across the region. The Scipio-Geneva Township Fire Department was assisted by:
- Spencer Township Fire Department
- Vernon Fire Department
- Lovett Fire Department
- Rescue 20
- Jennings County Sheriff’s Office
- Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office
- Jennings County Coroner’s Office
- Jennings County Dispatch
- American Red Cross
The identity of the victim is being withheld pending identification and notification of next of kin.
While the fire was eventually brought under control, the home is considered a total loss. Because the fire resulted in a fatality, the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office has been called in to lead the investigation into the cause and origin of the blaze.
