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Indianapolis Fire Department battles 3 fires within 2 hours at vacant buildings

No injuries were reported from each of the fires.

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Fire Department responded to three separate building fires overnight Saturday.

The first fire broke out around 11:45 p.m. March 2 in the 200 block of Shelby Street, near Southeastern Avenue, on the city's near east side. According to IFD, the building was abandoned and crews were able to bring the fire under control in 45 minutes with no injuries.

Investigators determined the fire was caused by squatters who were either trying to stay warm or cooking.

Credit: Indianapolis Fire Department
Indianapolis firefighters are investigating a vacant building fire in the 200 block of Shelby Street around 11:45 p.m. Saturday, March 2, 2024.

The second fire broke out a couple hours later around 1:30 a.m. March 3 in the 6700 block of Meadowlark Drive, near 42nd Street and North Kitley Avenue, on the city's northeast side. IFD says there was no injuries while responding to the vacant residence fire.

Investigators determined the fire started in the attic. According to an IFD spokesperson, investigators cannot rule out an electrical issue as the cause of the fire.

Credit: Indianapolis Fire Department
Indianapolis firefighters are investigating a vacant house fire in the 6700 block of Meadowlark Drive around 1:30 a.m. Sunday, March 3, 2024.

The third fire broke out around 1:50 a.m. Sunday in a vacant apartment building at East 38th Street and College Avenue on the city's near north side. The two-story building partially collapsed, causing some live power lines to go down, but crews were able to bring the blaze under control in 30 minutes with no injuries, according to IFD.

Investigators determined the fire was caused by squatters who were either trying to stay warm or cooking.

Credit: Indianapolis Fire Department
Indianapolis firefighters are investigating a vacant apartment building fire near 38th Street and College Avenue on Sunday, March 3, 2024.

All three fires are under investigation from IFD.

So far this year, the IFD/IMPD Fire Investigations Unit responded to the following structures:

  • Occupied: 38
  • Unoccupied: 17
  • Vacant-Unoccupied: 7
  • Vacant-Occupied: 9

In 2023, the IFD/IMPD Fire Investigations Unit responded to the following structures:

  • Occupied: 226
  • Unoccupied: 110
  • Vacant-Unoccupied: 40
  • Vacant-Occupied: 49

IFD works closely with Business and Neighborhood Services, the Department of Public Works and the Marion County Public Health Department to help identify challenges with vacant and abandoned structures, along with property cleanup. 

As of March 4, the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services currently has 329 open demolition orders, 1,540 repair cases and 136 open board orders.

DBNS demolished 53 structures in 2023. Of those 53 structures, 10 were apartment buildings or other commercial structures. DBNS is currently finalizing the first demolition bid package of 2024, which will contain approximately 15-20 structures.

Each package depends on the types of structures and the available budget.

IFD said neighbors with concerns can always call the Arson Hotline at 1-800-382-4628 or the IFD/IMPD Fire Investigations Office at 317-327-6700.

The city said residents should also report unsafe conditions at vacant structures to the Mayor's Action Center using RequestIndy, available online.

DBNS will investigate the property and determine whether a vacant board order, a repair order or a demolition order is warranted. If the property is occupied, they should call the Marion County Public Health Department/Health and Hospital Corporation at 317-221-2150.

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