INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - Another person has died from injuries he received in a house fire on April 4th in the Fountain Square area. Indianapolis Fire Department says 54-year-old Roger Shadowens is the seventh fire fatality this year. A woman, Shirley Allen, 50 died the day of the fire.
The fire started around 1:15 a.m. at a house in the 1400 block of Pleasant St. that was split into first floor and second floor apartments. The fire was contained to the first floor.
Officials say the people living upstairs were awakened by the smell of smoke. They checked on their downstairs neighbors but no one answered.
When firefighters arrived, they found a man and a woman inside the downstairs apartment and pulled them to safety.
First responders provided CPR to the Shadowens, who was revived. He is listed in critical condition at the hospital, but has since died.
The downstairs apartment did not have working smoke detectors.
Two dogs were also found at the home, and are expected to be okay.
Investigators are looking into what caused the fire.
So far this year, nine people have either been killed or seriously hurt in six Indianapolis house fires. Of those, only one had working smoke alarms.
Firefighters urge all homeowners to get alarms. If you already have one, put in fresh batteries and make sure they're working.
If you can't afford to buy one, IFD will give you one and even install it for you. If you need that help or know someone who does, call IFD Fire and Life Safety at (317) 327-6093.
