TERRE HAUTE —
A fire in the 1300 block of Chestnut Street early Monday destroyed a two-story apartment house and displaced several residents.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, said Jeff Fisher, Terre Haute city fire chief. All occupants safely escaped.
The building contained five apartments, and four were occupied. The house had to be demolished for safety reasons. The east wall of the two-story building collapsed during the fire, and the west wall was bowed out, making the structure too dangerous for firefighters or investigators to enter, Fisher said. The roof collapsed in the fire.
By late afternoon, the house was almost completely demolished, with nothing but rubble left behind.
Fisher said investigators will have to depend upon witness reports to get information about where the fire started in the building.
A team from the American Red Cross was collecting information about the displaced residents in an effort to get aid and shelter arranged for those who need it.
The apartment house’s owner, Mark Oster, was at the scene as the building was being demolished late Monday afternoon. While the cause remains under investigation, “It’s very likely the fire was set,” he said.
A neighbor who lives next door, Danny Montgomery, said that after the fire broke out, he was awakened by his fiancee’s daughter.
“When we came out, the whole building was on fire. Everyone was screaming and yelling” and making sure everyone was out of the apartment house, he said. “We gave a few clothing items and cigarettes to help out.”
He and other members of his household had to evacuate their home because of concerns it also could catch fire, he said.
Stephanie Land, the Red Cross emergency services director, estimated the agency assisted 17 people affected by the fire, including several children.
Not all of those in the building were listed as tenants, she said.
In two of the apartments, there were were “several generations living together,” she said. That’s not unusual, Land said. “The way the economy is, we see more and more families having to move in with each other. They can’t maintain different residences.”
Anyone wanting to offer assistance to the occupants can contact the Wabash Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross at 812-232-3393.
“People lost everything,” she said.
Red Cross assisted with hotel lodging, food and clothing. “We also work with Goodwill and our community partners to supplement what we do,” Land said.
It appeared many of those affected by Monday’s fire would be able to find a place to stay, possibly with relatives, she said.
You Can Help
• Anyone wanting to offer assistance to the occupants can contact the Wabash Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross at 812-232-3393.
Local & Bistate
Related Photos
-
Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Beyond repair: The apartment building at 1339 Chestnut Street was damaged beyond repair by a fire and was being demolished Monday.
Discussion
Fire destroys apartment house
- Local & Bistate
-
-
Vigo County Jail Log: May 23, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Wednesday and Thursday, based on jail records.
-
Relic from another age: Massive find
A mastodon that lived in the Wabash Valley thousands of years ago is making big news today.
-
Game Over: Financial tightening causes VCSC to drop St. Patrick’s from athletic schedule
St. Patrick’s School athletic teams will not have an opportunity to compete against their Vigo County School Corp. middle school counterparts next year.
-
Katelyn Newell finally at home
After nearly five months, 8-year-old Katelyn Newell finally returned home Thursday evening — with a new heart.
-
Indiana State U. Police officer honored with Artz Award
Thursday was a special day for Indiana State University Police Officer Christopher Heleine in multiple ways.
-
City Council considering three for consultant
Three different tax professionals vied Thursday for a chance to become a “financial consultant” to the Terre Haute City Council.
-
Clay County sheriff warns of bank card scam
The Clay County Sheriff’s Department has received information regarding a scam targeting residents, according to a news release from the sheriff’s department.
-
State Police seek help with Sullivan County homicide
Indiana State Police detectives from the Putnamville Post are seeking help from the public with the nearly six-month investigation into the death of 85-year-old Lowell R. Badger, a rural Sullivan County farmer.
-
Man who attacked Vigo deputy arrested
A Terre Haute man accused of attacking a Vigo County sheriff’s deputy earlier this week is facing felony charges in the Vigo County jail.
-
INDOT to bid final 641 phase
The final construction phase of the 641 bypass is scheduled to let for bids on Dec. 11, according to the Indiana Department of Transportation.
-
District office moves north
The Southwest District office of the Purdue Extension service has been moved north from Vincennes to Terre Haute.
-
Day is done…
The sun sets Thursday evening as seen from south of Terre Haute.
-
Morning update: I-5 bridge collapse caused by truck hitting span
The Washington State Patrol chief says the Interstate 5 bridge collapse into the Skagit (SKA'-jiht) River at Mount Vernon was caused by an oversize truck.
-
UPDATE: I-70 lanes in Putnam County now open
The west-bound lanes of Interstate 70 re-opened Thursday evening after being temporarily closed due to a crash near the Greencastle/Cloverdale exit.
-
22-hospital St. Vincent Health cutting jobs
INDIANAPOLIS — One of Indiana’s largest health systems says it’s cutting an undisclosed number of jobs by June 30 because of increasing economic and competitive pressure on the health care industry.
-
Update: Cleanup from overturned truck in Greene County continues
Fuel spillage from the dump truck hauling gravel that overturned this morning in Greene County at Indiana 54 and County Road 725 East near Ridgeport continues to restrict traffic to one lane.
-
17-pound bone found during Vigo flood cleanup
TERRE HAUTE — Crews cleaning up from Wabash River flooding in Vigo County came across a 17-pound bone that they believe might have come from an ancient mastodon.
-
Duke Energy gives $10K to Wabash Valley Red Cross for Vigo flood relief
Duke Energy is giving $10,000 to the Wabash Valley Red Cross chapter for flood relief from this spring’s heavy rains.
-
I-70 Frye Road overpass contract awarded; construction to begin May 28
The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced the Interstate-70 Frye Road overpass contract was awarded to Halverson Construction Co. Inc. from Springfield, Ill., for $317,166.
-
Banks of the Wabash Festival is more than just yearly entertainment
Pioneers think counterintuitively. Where others see widespread apathy, they focus on the possibility for progress. In a way, the 2013 Year of the River celebration began in the 1970s.
-
Planning session aims to better Terre Haute
It’s not yet clear what will come of it, but dozens of community leaders spent the whole day Wednesday trying to develop a plan – or collection of plans – to make Terre Haute “a better community.”
-
Education funding boost won’t benefit all schools
In the budget bill passed by the General Assembly last month, there is more money allocated for K-12 education over the next two years, but that doesn’t mean every school will get more dollars.
- Day of Action job options open
-
Park Board renames land around Memorial Stadium
Land surrounding Indiana State University’s Memorial Stadium on Terre Haute’s east side has been designated as Veterans Memorial Park, following a unanimous vote Wednesday from the Terre Haute Park Board.
-
Deputy suffers minor injury during incident
A Vigo County Sheriff’s deputy received a minor injury to his hand Tuesday night while subduing a drunken driving suspect who fled behind a North Terre Haute business.
-
Man accused of child neglect gets new trial date
An Oct. 15 trial date has been set for a Terre Haute man arrested in November for child neglect after he and his wife allegedly tied up and confined their adopted children in the family home.
-
Police find meth labs, arrest Pierson Township man
Police uncovered two active methamphetamine labs in southeastern Vigo County on Monday, leading to the arrest of a Pierson Township man.
-
New date set for attempted murder trial
A new trial date has been set for a Terre Haute woman charged with attempted murder.
-
Illinois Senate approves sex education bill
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A proposal that revamps sex education in Illinois public schools to include information about contraception and sexually transmitted diseases has cleared the state Senate.
-
Gregg pondering 2nd run for Indiana governor
INDIANAPOLIS — Former Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Gregg is pondering another run at the state's top job, but has yet to make a decision.
- More Local & Bistate Headlines
-
Vigo County Jail Log: May 23, 2013
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam
Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy
Today in History May 24
Boy Scouts Mom Supports Gay Inclusiveness
SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
Obama Renews Call to Close Gitmo
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
