FORT WAYNE, IN (Indiana's NewsCenter) --- Fort Wayne's fire chief insists his department did not need to call a nearby volunteer fire agency for help in dealing with a two-alarm blaze at the Willows of Coventry apartment complex that took the lives of two residents.
The Allen County coroner has confirmed that 18-year old Renea Patton of Ottawa, Ohio died from severe smoke inhalation, after being rescued from the burning apartment building on Friday.
Monday, we learned that 19-year old Jennifer Spurgeon from Winamac, Indiana had succumbed to smoke inhalation injuries.
The Fort Wayne fire department dispatched several units that Chief Pete Kelly says arrived within 8 minutes.
Chief Kelly acknowledges that he never asked the Aboite Township volunteer agency for help, a department that has a fire station right next door to where the fire erupted.
Chief Pete Kelly/Fort Wayne Fire Department: " But that's a fire station that is unmanned, it does have equipment in it, but I don't think that equipment is used very often at all. We had, we thought, plenty of manpower to do what we had to do initially, and then some other units came in just to help out, rotate."
The Aboite Township fire chief did not return a call seeking comment on the situation.
Chief Kelly says he discussed the matter with Chief Rod Cozad and that he has no problem with the way things were handled.
At last report, the third victim of the fire, a young woman, was listed in critical condition.
We have never been given her name.
What are your thoughts on this story? CLICK HERE to leave us "Your 2 Cents".
What are your thoughts CLICK HERE to leave us a "Your2Cents” comment.
TextCaster alerts from Indiana's NewsCenter are your defining source for instant information delivered right to your cell phone and email. It's free, easy and instant. Sign-Up Now!
Powered by Summit City Chevrolet
© Copyright 2012 A Granite Broadcasting Station. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Textcaster
Facebook
Twitter