First responders evacuated residents during Momper fire

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Several people said they were forced to evacuate their homes Sunday because of the smoke and fumes from the Momper Insulation fire .

The Fort Wayne Fire Department said there were no official mandatory evacuations Sunday. But officials said concerned first responders instinctively told some people living nearby to leave their homes.

One man told NewsChannel 15 he wasn’t allowed to go into his home to get oxygen.

Briana Anderson said she walked to the library with her daughter before the fire. When she got back, she said officers with the Fort Wayne Police Department wouldn't let her back to her house. Anderson and her kids had to stay with friends that night.

The mother was surprised when she heard the Fort Wayne Fire Department didn’t officially issue any mandatory evacuations.

“We were told to leave our homes for 24 hours,” said Anderson. “I actually never even made it back to my door. I got stopped right down there when they had it taped off and they told us that we couldn't go home.”

A woman who lives almost next door to Momper Installation told fire officials she was asked to leave her home. But when she was allowed to go back inside, her home didn't have any power. Electricity wasn’t restored until early Monday morning.

Everyone that was asked to evacuate has been allowed to return to their homes.