Five people saved from burning house

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Firefighters saved two adults and three children from the roof of a burning house just moments before the fire swept through the area where they were waiting for help.

Fire officials received the call of a house fire in the 1800 block of Riedmiller Avenue around 1:45 Monday morning. Dispatchers relayed to firefighters that people were standing on the roof trying to escape the fire.

When firefighters arrived, they quickly used a ladder to rescue the five people before fire engulfed the entire home.

Fire officials said no one was injured.

Heavy flames and smoke poured from the two-story house. Fire officials said a small amount of fire found its way to the basement.

The fire was under control in 18 minutes, according to a department report.

David Minick, a neighbor, told NewsChannel 15 he and his wife were heading to bed when they heard glass breaking. After hearing cries for help, they saw the house across the street was on fire.

"My wife is running for the ladder in the backyard," said Minick, "And I'm running across the street."

About that time, the fire department showed up at the burning home.

"The fire was on the right side of the roof. And before they (the fire department) could get them off the left side of the roof, the fire was right on them."

Michelle Barksdale lives next door to house that caught on fire.  She woke up to the sounds of fire crews running through her yard.

"One kid would grab the ladder and take one step down," Barksdale said.  "There were so many firefighters they were just snatching them (the kids) down and throwing them on my porch."

Fort Wayne Fire Department Battalion Chief Ron Meikle said the woman told investigators she had a smoke detector, but said she never heard it.

Officials don't know where the fire started or what caused the house to catch fire.

Meikle said the incident remains under investigation.

A previous version of this story reported fire officials told NewsChannel 15 four people had been saved. The fire department issued a press release stating five people were rescued.