Open Fire Pit Causes House Fire In Cedar Lake
On Monday, May 30, 2022 Southcom Dispatch received a 911 call of a residential structure fire in the 13500 block of Bryan Street, according to Cedar Lake Police.
Cedar Lake Police Officer Alexis Dills and Officer Jarrett Stickle arrived on scene and assisted the homeowner and her two dogs in getting out of the residence. Sgt. Tim Kilgore assisted in making certain the Cedar Lake Fire Department would be able to get into the area which is restricted to one narrow roadway in and out of the neighborhood.
The Cedar Lake Fire Department responded, along with assistance from Lake Dale FD, Lowell FD, Crown Point FD, St. John FD, Lake Hills FD, Dyer FD, Beecher FD, and Tri-Creek EMS. The fire was quickly struck which saved a large part of the home and personal belongings.
This was a tremendous accomplishment considering the high winds, the type of exterior fire, and the limited access to the house and neighborhood.
The details of the fire are still under investigation, however, preliminary investigation revealed that the fire was the result of careless open burning in a fire pit by a neighbor in the high winds. The fire pit caught tires and a wooden fence on fire, which quickly spread to the rear of the structure, police said.
The results of this investigation by the Cedar Lake Police Department and Cedar Lake Fire Department will be presented to the Lake County Prosecutor for criminal charges.
The Cedar Lake Police Department commended their Officers, the Cedar Lake Fire Department, and supporting agencies for their quick response to preserve life and property.
(Photo Courtesy of Cedar Lake Professional Firefighters)
