The cause of the fire at K-Fex in New Carlisle that claimed the life of Assistant Fire Chief Jamie Middlebrook can not be determined.
State Fire Marshall Jim Greeson said the facility sustained too much damage so a definitive cause of the fire could not be established. He noted that reasonable accidental ignition sources could not be ruled out, but also could not be proven as the cause of the fire.
Members of the Starke County Association of Firefighters will be active in the visitation and funeral for New Carlisle Assistant Fire Chief Jamie Middlebrook.
Middlebrook died Tuesday while fighting a fire at a LaPorte County business, K-Fex, near the intersection of U.S. 20 and 800 East. Visitation is Sunday from 2 until 7 p.m. ET at the Everest-Rohrer Auditorium at Bethel College while the funeral service will be on Monday, Aug. 11 at 11 a.m. at the college.
In a ceremony held at the Knox South Side Fire Station Sunday, Starke County Honor Guard member, Robert Rozhon, of North Judson, was presented the Larry Hartley-Striker award for service to the unit.
Mr. Rozhon, 79, is a charter member of the award winning organization. He was a member of the San Pierre Fire Department from 1963-1976, and the North Judson Fire Department from 1976-1997.
