Grovertown Fire Cause Remains Under Investigation

Posted on Author WKVI
The cause of this house fire on 200 N. east of 900 E. in Grovertown remains under investigation.
The cause of this house fire on 200 N. east of 900 E. in Grovertown remains under investigation.

An investigator from the state fire marshal’s office will be in Starke County today to investigate the origin of a house fire in Grovertown. The Washington Township Fire Department received the call around 2:30 yesterday afternoon, according to Assistant Chief Dave Pearman. The house at 200 North and 900 West was fully engulfed when they arrived. Firefighters from Hamlet, Koontz Lake and Knox also assisted, and with their help the blaze was contained in about 30 minutes. Pearman says the owners were home when the fire started. No injuries were reported.

Several Fires Reported over the Weekend

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
Firefighters were busy responding to various calls this weekend.

Spring fever has hit and everyone has been out cleaning yards and burning unwanted brush and leaves. Firefighters ask that you not burn anything outside on days where the gusty winds are forecast. It’s safer to put off until a calm wind is predicted in order to burn things outside.

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Local Fire Departments Undergo Live Fire Training in Lakeville

Posted on Author WKVI
Pictures provided.

Members from the Hamlet, Washington Township, Knox-Center Township and North Judson-Wayne Township fire departments recently participated in a live fire training in Lakeville.

On Dec. 28, the Mobile Live Fire Training Trailer Unit traveled to Lakeville so the firefighters could train in the mobile flashover training simulator free of charge. Two weeks prior to this training, instructors in Starke County were given instruction in the “train the trainer” program and all went well.

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Hamlet Fire Crews Battle Garage Fire

Posted on Author WKVI

Hamlet firefighters were called to a garage fire in the area of 102 W. Pearl Street in Hamlet around 11:00 a.m. Knox and Koontz Lake Fire Departments were called to assist. At 11:40 a.m., the fire was reportedly under control.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known.

Three Injured in Two Vehicle Accident

Posted on Author WKVI

Three people were injured in a two vehicle accident around 8:30 p.m. last night on U.S. 30 just east of the Grovertown Truck Stop.

Starke County police say that a passenger car was northbound on 1100 East, crossed the median, hesitated in the median, and began to proceed into the path of an oncoming semi. The driver of the semi tried to stop and swerved to the right to attempt to avoid a collision, however the driver could not stop. The semi was loaded at the time of the accident.

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April Events Planned in Hamlet

Posted on Author WKVI

The Annual Easter Egg Hunt for residents of Hamlet is planned for Saturday in the town park. At 1:00 p.m., children will scramble to pick up as many eggs as they can in the hopes of winning one of four grand prizes.

Four age groups have been set up for the event: ages two and under, ages three to five, ages six to eight, and ages nine and up. The eggs for the hunt were provided by the Park Department at no cost.

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Five Fire Departments Called to House Fire in Knox

Posted on Author WKVI

A fire consumed the home of Elizabeth Sallee at 1520 E. 100 S. in Knox last night.

When firefighters arrived at the home shortly before 10:00 p.m. last night, the fire was fully engulfed at the east end of the home. High winds caused the fire to spread quickly throughout the structure and soon it was fully engulfed. Elizabeth Sallee was not home at the time of the fire, but her daughter and two-year-old son escaped the home without injury.

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Starke County Sheriff’s Department Investigates Accident Near Hamlet

Posted on Author WKVI

The Starke County Sheriff’s Department is investigating an accident that occurred Friday at 600 East and 700 North.

The accident involved a pickup truck and a moped. The driver of the moped, whose name has not been released by police, was taken to IU Health Starke Hospital and later airlifted by Med Flight to Memorial Hospital Trauma Center where he was listed in critical condition. The driver of the pickup truck was not injured in the accident.

The names of either individual have not been released. The Starke County Sheriff’s Department was assisted by the Hamlet Fire Department, Starke County EMS and the Koontz Lake Fire Department.

Firefighters Called to Two Fires Early Thursday Morning

Posted on Author WKVI
Fire crews battle a structure fire at the corner of Davis and Main Streets

Firefighters from the Hamlet Fire Department were called to a structure fire at the corner of Davis and Main Streets in Hamlet shortly after 1:00 this morning.

It is not known at this time what caused the fire in the vacant building, but officials at the scene said no injuries were reported. An investigation is pending. The Koontz Lake and Knox-Center Township Fire Departments were called to the scene for mutual aid.

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Starke County Sheriff’s Department Investigates Fatal Accident

Posted on Author WKVI

Starke County Sheriff’s Department officers responded to a one vehicle car accident Wednesday on 600 E. near 400 North in Hamlet. A red pickup truck was located in the ditch and was occupied by Don Paul, 74, of Grovertown. Paul was taken to IU Health Starke Hospital where he was pronounced dead. A medical condition is believed to have caused the accident. Assisting at the scene were the Hamlet and Knox Fire Departments.

Hamlet, Knox Fire Crews Respond to Call Outside of Hamlet

Posted on Author WKVI

Residents were tearing down a house at 2323 E. 480 N. outside of Hamlet Wednesday afternoon when a fire started and got out of control.

According to Hamlet Fire Chief, Bob Goetz, scrap from the destruction of an abandoned house on the property started on fire. The fire got out of control and spread to a garage. The Hamlet Fire Department responded to the scene as well as the Knox-Center Township Fire Department and the fire was extinguished. Minimal damage was reported to the garage. There were no injuries reported.

Three Fire Departments Battle House Fire in Koontz Lake

Posted on Author WKVI
Fire crews assess the damage done to the Frye residence in Koontz Lake

Three fire departments responded to a house fire in the 8100 block on State Road 23 in Koontz Lake Thursday night at approximately 7:30 p.m. CT.

The Koontz Lake, Hamlet and Walkerton Fire Departments were called to the Frye residence and Koontz Lake Fire Chief, Randy Collins, told WKVI’s Anita Goodan that a fire had started in the 2nd story of the home. The three occupants of the home, their pets and the firefighters were not injured. The Indiana State Fire Marshal’s office has been called into investigate the cause of the fire. Collins said the home was a total loss.

Starke County EMS assisted at the scene.

Washington Township Firefighters Complete State Certification Course

Posted on Author WKVI
Washington Township Training #2
Members of the Washington Township Fire Department train for certification

Twelve firefighters from Washington Township Fire Department participated in the 2010 State Firefighter I/II course. The course started in May and finished Sunday, November 14th. Firefighters met two days a week for lectures and hands-on activities.

The course covered topics such as fire service history, health and safety, fire behavior, ropes and knots, extrication, water supply, fire control, communications, fire prevention, public education and emergency medical care. Chief Stuart Short, Lt. David Emigh, James Coad, Josh Ream, Bill Lehiy, Chad Lehiy, TJ Reiss, Wallace (Boz) Williams, Corry Williams, Rookie Cody Williams, Rookie Terry Fawley, and Rookie Geary Manuel participated in the program.

Washington Township Training #3

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