TOP STORY OF THE DAY: Wednesday evening structure fire

IVY JACOBS PHOTO

Firefighters from five departments worked an active structure fire on South Hadley Street until almost midnight,

Around 8 p.m., a 911 caller reported the fire near the 800 block, which had heavy black smoke with a strong odor that could be seen from several blocks away.

Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Department requested tanker and manpower assistance, and Brazil Fire Department and Posey Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched. Meanwhile, the 911 caller advised everyone was out of the house.

IVY JACOBS PHOTO - On Wednesday evening, first responders from several agencies worked an active structure fire at South Hadley Street, with equipment parked along Pinckley Street.

The first firefighters advised it was a large fire with smoke from the top of the house and flames in the attic.

Van Buren Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched and took over the fire scene command.

Brazil’s off-duty firefighters came in to assist the station with city coverage. Dick Johnson was requested to assist, and other local fire department firefighters who could help arrived on the scene.

Two STAR Ambulance units were dispatched to provide medical assistance to the firefighters and check on the family that escaped the home.

Duke Energy was dispatched to ensure the utilities were shut off, and the American Red Cross was notified to help the family. At this time, no official cause of the fire has been established.

Three and a half hours later, the fire was out, the scene was secured, and all departments cleared the scene.