Firefighters Battle Fire on SR 8

An incident at a residence on State Road 8 kept firefighters busy throughout the night into today.

A fire was reported at 135 E. SR 8 around 5:10 p.m. on Tuesday evening.

The Washington Township Fire Department responded, along with firefighters from the Hamlet, Koontz Lake, and Knox-Center Township Fire Department, Sheriff’s Department Deputies and personnel from Starke County EMS.

All the occupants made it out of the residence safely and no injuries were reported.

During the initial lengthy stay at the scene, EMA Director Jay Nier coordinated with a volunteer involved with the Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) group to have food provided. The restaurant Subway donated foot long subs to feed the first responders.

Indiana State Fire Marshall was at the scene and confirmed that lightning was the cause as the phone box appeared to be struck.