Knox Fire Department Receives Grant for Equipment

Fire Department Check 1
Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Kenny Pfost, Norfolk Southern Chicago District Safety Service Committee Chair Brian Schultz and Norfolk Southern Government Relations Manager Derek Sublette

The Knox-Center Township Fire Department will soon have some new rescue equipment thanks to a grant from Norfolk Southern Corporation. Continue reading

Fire Officials: Don’t Burn Yard Debris on a Windy Day

 
 

Temperatures are becoming more spring-like and it’s tempting to get out into the yard to get rid of leaves and brush left over from the winter months. The most common way to get rid of the debris is to burn it. On occasion, burn piles can get out of control, and the fire department is called to assist a homeowner in putting out the flames.

Firefighters have responded to several brush fires in the past few days.

Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Kenny Pfost urges you to choose a nice day to burn any of that debris.

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Burning Leaves? Use Caution

 With the arrival of fall, leaves are starting to gather in yards and it’s time for the removal of those leaves.

Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Kenny Pfost asks you to be cautious if you plan to burn leaves on your property.

“First of all, try not to burn on a windy day,” said Pfost. “It seems like that’s when we have the most fires is when it’s really windy. Choose a calm day. Also, make sure you’re compliant with local ordinances. Have a water source and try not to burn outside of what you can handle. Don’t burn after dark.”

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Tips for Fire Prevention Week

 
 

Working smoke alarms are responsible for saving the lives of at least 70 individuals statewide this year.

Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Kenny Pfost echoes that statement released by the Indiana State Fire Marshal and encourages all residents to have smoke detectors on all levels of the home.

“Make sure you have working smoke detectors in your home and change the batteries at least once a year. We always tell people that the beginning of October is a good time to change those batteries,” said Pfost.

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Fire Marshal Determines Cause of Knox House Fire

An investigator from the state fire marshal's office determined the cause of this Friday, June 14 fire.
An investigator from the state fire marshal’s office determined the cause of this Friday, June 14 fire.

An investigator from the state fire marshal’s office has determined the cause of a Friday afternoon house fire just west of Knox. The home on County Road 200 South just east of 200 East was in flames when firefighters from the Knox-Center Township Fire Department arrived at around 2:30 p.m. Continue reading

Four Departments Respond to Knox House Fire

Thank you to WKVI listener Marcia Lockner for the photo of Sunday's fire on 175 N. at U.S. 35
Thank you to WKVI listener Marcia Lockner for the photo of Sunday’s fire on 175 N. at U.S. 35

An investigator from the state fire marshal’s office is in Starke County to determine the origin and cause of a house fire yesterday north of Knox. The home on 175 North just east of U.S. 35 was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived, according to Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Kenny Pfost. He says they were notified at 2:16 p.m. but were responding to a woods fire at the time. Pfost immediately requested assistance from Hamlet and Washington Township due to their extended arrival time. The Koontz Lake Volunteer Fire Department also provided water and manpower support. No injuries were reported, and the home was believed to be unoccupied. Firefighters were on the scene for three hours.

Donation Account Established for Knox Fire Victims

 

 
 

Sunday’s house fire in downtown Knox left two single mothers and seven children homeless. The blaze at 7 N. Bower Street started in a second floor bedroom, according to Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Kenny Pfost, who believes an electrical heater is to blame. Nobody was injured, but the families were able to salvage very little. The Kid’s Closet Ministry at North Judson United Methodist Church has stepped in to offer assistance, and the St. Joseph County American Red Cross chapter is providing temporary shelter. An account has also been set up at First Farmer’s Bank and Trust in Knox and North Judson if anyone would like to make a monetary gift to the Sexton Family Fire Fund.

 

Sunday Morning Fire Destroys Vacant Historic Home

 
 

A fire early Sunday morning destroyed a historic structure on the north side of Knox. “Mackey’s Boarding House” was located at the northeast corner of Mound and Prettyman Streets. The once-stately Victorian structure had been vacant for several years. Firefighters were called out at 3:30 a.m. and remained on the scene for several hours. Knox-Center Township Fire Chief Kenny Pfost tells WKVI news the cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

National Fire Prevention Week

This week is National Fire Prevention week.

“Fire Prevention Week lasts all week through the 15th,” said Knox-Center Township Fire Chief, Kenny Pfost. “We try to educate not only children, but adults as well on fire prevention tips and techniques and how to be safer.”

“October is always a good time to change the batteries in your smoke detectors. Make sure that you have at least two exit plans. If you live in a two story house, you need to have some sort of escape devise if you should have a fire so you can escape the second floor. You should have something like a collapseable ladder. You need to have a meeting place outside to where everyone can meet up when they’re outside of the house.”

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