A house fire claimed the life of a North Judson resident Saturday, February 8.
North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Chief Todd Jackson told WKVI News that firefighters were called to the scene in the 400 block of High Street just before 2:30 p.m. CT. Shortly after being dispatched, firefighters were notified of a possible occupant still in the home.
Upon arrival, two North Judson firefighters made immediate entry, found the victim and pulled the victim out of the house. Starke County EMS determined the victim to be deceased. Starke County Coroner April Wilhelm told WKVI News that the victim was identified as 73-year-old Rebecca Anderson of North Judson and the next of kin has been notified.
North Judson firefighters, along with firefighters from Knox and San Pierre continued with an aggressive offensive attack and got the fire under control and extinguished. Indiana State Fire Marshals were called for investigation.
Two North Judson-Wayne Township firefighters sustained minor burn injuries in the process of pulling the victim out of the house. They were checked out on scene by Starke County EMS and cleared to return to duty.
The North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Department was joined by Knox-Center Township Fire Department, San Pierre Fire Department, Starke County EMS, North Judson Police Department, North Judson Water/Utilities Department, Starke County Humane Society, and Indiana State Fire Marshal.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Indiana State Fire Marshal.
