Crash May Have Caused Damage Across The Porter County Area Including Fires
An accident over night by an impaired driver has left a swath of damage across the Chesterton area.
Around midnight Burns Harbor Fire Department was dispatched to a single vehicle accident in the area of 149 and Tech Dr, just south of US Hwy 20.
Units first on scene found a vehicle had taken out a large Nipsco pole carrying 3 phase, 69,000 volt wires which were arcing on the ground near the vehicle. The driver escaped the vehicle unharmed with the sheared off pole on top of the vehicle and lines down around him, but now leaves a mess for Nipsco to clean up. 149 will most likely be closed through early afternoon on Monday.
As crews were securing the scene on 149, units from Porter, Chesterton, Liberty, Portage and Burns Harbor were dispatched to a structure fire in the 1500 block of old Porter Rd. First units on scene found heavy fire on the outside of the structure, and with all occupants safely out of the house. It’s believed that a power surge from the accident may have been the cause of the fire.
Just as crews were moping up from the first fire, Chesterton Fire, along with Porter and Liberty were dispatched to an Industrial Fire at Area Transportation in the 100 block of east 1100 N. First units on scene reported heavy fire showing from the structure and immediately requested a first alarm assignment bringing in help from surrounding departments to assist with the fire. A short time later a second alarm assignment was requested for more help to the scene.
At this time it is believed that the second fire, may have been a result of the power surge along with multiple reports of burned up breaker boxes and strip plugs around the Chesterton area.
Units are still one scene at Area Transportation trying to put out hot spots. At this time we are glad to report that there are no reports of injuries to civilians or firefighters. Check back with Region News Source for updates as they come in.
Joshua Stowers – Region News
