March 24, 2006

Man found dead in blaze

       An Indianapolis man was found dead at his home when firefighters responded to a call about a house fire on the city’s far southside on Thursday morning.  Investigators are still trying to determine what caused the fire, which damaged most of the home at 638 Louise Drive, near Stop 11 Road and State Road 135.  WISH-Channel 8 identified the dead man as Hubert Smith.  Some neighbors were on a walk when they saw smoke coming out the windows of the home, said Ashlee Walls, community relations director for the Perry Township Fire Department.

         The smoke was so thick in the home that the neighbors couldn’t crawl inside to check if anyone was home, Walls said.  Perry Township and White River Township firefighters were called about 10:50 a.m. and had the fire under control about 30 minutes later, Walls said.  The fire destroyed parts of the roof and a wooden porch on the back of the home, Walls said. The back of the house had sustained heavy fire damage by the time firefighters arrived.  Investigators were still trying to determine the cause of death for the homeowner Thursday, she said.  (Reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)
   

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