By Chad Steenerson
TERRE HAUTE — One person is dead following a fire Saturday night at a residence on Terre Haute’s north end.
Otter Creek Fire Department responded about 6:30 p.m. Saturday to a fire at 3793 E. Beulah Ave. Witnesses reported hearing what sounded like an explosion, followed by flames coming out the roof of the one-story apartment building.
Rita McKinney of Terre Haute, who lives one block north, said she heard a “big explosion” that shook her house. She was among a few dozen people who stood watching as fire crews battled the blaze.
Smoke poured out the windows of the house as firefighters drew water from an improvised retaining pool in the subfreezing weather. A half-dozen fire department and Vigo County Sheriff’s vehicles ringed the scene.
Otter Creek Fire Department chief of operations Robert Salmon said that “it appears that we possibly have one victim at this time, but other than that we’re investigating.”
The victim’s name was not available as of late Saturday evening pending the results of the investigation.
Chad Steenerson can be reached at (812) 231-4211 or at chad.steenerson@tribstar.com.
