INDIANAPOLIS — One woman died and nine other people were taken to local hospitals with injuries after an apartment fire on Indianapolis' northwest side early Monday, the Indianapolis Fire Department said.
Crews responded to the Highland Pointe Apartments, along Michigan Road just south of Kessler Boulevard West Drive, just before 4:45 a.m. for reports of an fire with people possibly trapped.
When firefighters arrived at 4:44 a.m., they found heavy fire coming from a three-story apartment building and many people on balconies, with some jumping to escape the fire.
Crews rescued at least 30 people from the building, which was fully occupied, according to IFD, and delayed putting water on the fire for the first 15 minutes while they helped occupants down from the upper floors.
A female victim, whose identity has not been shared by authorities, was found inside the building and pronounced dead at the scene.
Nine people were taken to local hospitals. Five of those people were in serious condition, IFD said, including one adult and four children.
Two Pike Township fire investigators suffered minor injuries and were taken to local hospitals after ceiling debris fell on them during their investigation.
Firefighters and investigators rescued multiple cats from the building, who were all OK.
Twelve hours after the fire, John Wilson told 13News he did what he could to help his fellow neighbors.
"Most of us are waiting, literally, for a place to stay. Most people don't have family here, so they don't have anywhere to go," said Wilson, draped in only blankets. "There was no way for them to get out their front doors because of all the smoke."
A total of 20 IFD and nine Pike Township Fire Department crews responded to the scene.
A second alarm was sounded 15 minutes after the first dispatch.
Later Monday, IFD said fire investigators believe the fire started on the first floor and quickly spread to the second and third floors, with heavy black smoke filling the whole building, blocking many residents from exiting.
ATF and the Indiana State Fire Marshal responded to the scene Monday.
A total of 44 apartments were damaged by fire, smoke, water or a loss of utilities. All of the residents will be displaced until investigators finish their assessment and utilities are restored.
"I'm just trying to keep my head up, being as positive as I can. We are here in the same situation, so all we can do is support each other," Wilson said.
If you would like to help displaced residents, call the American Red Cross at 1-800 Red Cross.
No cause had been determined as of early Monday, and it's believed there were working smoke alarms inside the building, IFD said.
According to IFD, between Jan. 1 and March 31st of this year, Six people — four adults and two children — died in fires in January alone. That's compared to six adults who died in fires over the entire years in 2022 and 2021.