INDIANAPOLIS -
Around 3:30 Saturday morning, flames gained momentum inside an apartment building near Elder and West Washington Street, about the time Walter Brooks' nine-year-old daughter knew something was wrong.
"She woke me up she told me she said daddy I hear some stuff outside when I opened the door we realized there was a bad fire she helped me she saved us," said Brooks.
He grabbed his children and ran outside to a chaotic scene.
"I hear all of these people screaming oh my God, help me help me. Help me."
Outside, a pair of metro police officers were trying to get inside to help people who were trapped. Investigators say no one had much warning since there were no smoke detectors in the building.
"About 15 people inside of that building, all sleeping when the fire broke out. Several of them, all adults, jumped from second story windows, " said IFD Captain Rita Burris.
Among the people who jumped was a mother of a seven-year-old boy. She told firefighters she had hold of her son, but because of the intense fire and smoke, she lost her grip.
The two metro police officers were able to direct firefighters to the apartment where the seven-year-old boy was located, but by the time they reached him, it was too late. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
One of the women who lived in the building told eyewitness news the family had just moved into the building less than a week ago.
"I'm a mother. I have a three year old. I would die trying to save my baby. I am more upset about the seven-year-old than I am losing everything I own."
Five people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
Those who made it out unharmed say they lost everything but are thankful they made it out with their lives.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Most of the residents told IFD they will be staying with family. Indy Fire Rescue House has started a fund to help cover funeral expenses for the family of the seven-year-old killed in the fire.
Earlier Version:
A seven-year-old boy has died as the result of an apartment fire that forced fifteen people out of their homes on 1833 West Washington Street around 3:30 this morning. The boy's mother and stepfather jumped out of a window on the second floor to escape the fire.
The boy's mother told firefighters that she tried to get her son out of the window but due to the intense heat and heavy black smoke she was unable to maintain her hold on him.
Four people told firefighters they jumped from the second floor and eleven others evacuated on their own.
Two IMPD officers tried to enter the building before firefighters arrived but were forced back by heavy smoke.
The names of the victims have not been released.
Eyewitness News has learned there were no working smoke detectors in the home.
We have a crew at the scene and will update the details as they come available.
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