The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a residential structure fire that resulted in one fatality which occurred mid-morning on Tuesday, May 1st.
According to a police report, shortly after 10:30 a.m., Sheriff’s Office Deputies and other emergency personnel were dispatched to a residence located in the 5600 West block of County Road 300 North. Deputies L. Scott Boswell and Jeff Wright were the first to arrive at the scene and found the residence on fire with visible flames.
The deputies attempted to gain entry into the residence but were apparently forced back because of the working fire. Several volunteer fire departments arrived at the scene to begin extinguishing the fire. When firefighters made entry into the residence, they reportedly discovered a subject inside.
The deceased victim has been identified as 81-year-old Charles Putchaven. The La Porte County Coroner’s Office has ruled the cause of Putchaven’s death to be smoke inhalation and severe thermal burns.
Detectives with Sheriff’s Office and the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office will be investigating further to possibly determine a cause of the fire.
Sheriff’s Office Deputies were assisted at the scene by the Coolspring, Center, Springfield, and Michigan Shores Volunteer Fire Departments as well as the La Porte County EMS, La Porte County Coroner’s Office and the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office.
