Fatal Fire Sunday In Miller Section of Gary
Around 8:30 PM, Sunday, Gary Fire Department was dispatched to 1052 N Union St in Miller for reports of a structure fire called in by a passerby.
On arrival the first crew was met with heavy smoke and flames through the roof. Crews immediately began to extinguish the flames with water from the engine but the nearest hydrant was not in visible sight. Crews also noticed vehicles in the driveway but no residents on scene. Due to the size of the fire they could not immediately make access into the home to search for occupants. Crews called for a tanker and set up another engine a block over for a water supply. Crews fought the fire for nearly 2 hours which eventually collapsed the roof the building.
When the fire was contained crews were able to do a search of the building and discovered a victim under debris in a hallway. Tragically the woman had succumbed to her injuries in the fire. The woman was identified by the Lake County Coroner as Priscilla Masters, 76, of Gary.
The State Fire Marshal was called out to the scene and is investigating the cause. Portage Fire Department provided mutual aid at the scene, while Merrillville provided station coverage in Gary.
