MONROE CO. – A house fire in Monroe County early Monday morning has claimed the life of one person, according to Monroe Fire Protection District officials.
Firefighters responded to a structure fire in the 5000 block of South Fairfax Road at approximately 1:14 a.m. Upon arrival, just five minutes after dispatch, crews encountered heavy fire conditions at the front of the residence. Bystanders at the scene reported attempting to alert any occupants by knocking on doors and windows before emergency services arrived.
As firefighting crews began their initial attack on the blaze, information from Monroe County Sheriff Deputies suggested an elderly resident who rarely left the home might be trapped inside. Acting on this, a firefighter immediately searched the home’s rear section, which flames had not yet consumed.
Despite zero visibility conditions and thick smoke, rescue personnel located an unresponsive victim in the kitchen area within four minutes of arrival. The victim was quickly extracted from the building, and immediate life-saving measures were initiated. Emergency responders transported the victim to the hospital, where they were later pronounced deceased.
The Monroe County Coroner’s office has scheduled an autopsy, and authorities are withholding the victim’s identity pending notification of next of kin.
Fire investigators from the Monroe Fire Protection District and the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office have determined the cause of the fire to be accidental, citing discarded smoking materials as the ignition source.
Multiple units responded to the scene, including Engines 22, 21, 23, and 29 from Monroe Fire Protection District, along with Battalion Chief 22, Chief 25, Chief 23, and the MFD Fire Marshal. Bloomington City Fire Department’s Engine 5 provided additional support. Duke Energy and Centerpoint personnel were also present to secure utilities at the scene.
